Reference range:
The Calcium Score, also known as the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score, is a crucial biomarker used to evaluate the health of the coronary arteries and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). This test provides valuable insight into the presence and extent of calcified plaque within the walls of the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
The calcium score is determined using a specialized imaging test called a coronary calcium scan, performed with a computed tomography (CT) scanner. The test identifies and quantifies calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, which are indicative of atherosclerosis—a condition where plaques build up and can restrict blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The calcium score is typically reported as an Agatston score, which considers:
The area of calcified plaque.
The density of calcium within the plaques.
The resulting score ranges from 0 to hundreds or even thousands, with higher scores indicating greater amounts of calcified plaque and a higher risk of CAD.
The calcium score is categorized as follows:
0: No evidence of CAD. Very low risk of coronary artery disease.
1-10: Minimal evidence of CAD. Low risk of coronary artery disease.
11-100: Mild evidence of CAD. Low to moderate risk of coronary artery disease.
101-400: Moderate evidence of CAD. Increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Over 400: Extensive evidence of CAD. High risk of coronary artery disease, requiring comprehensive medical evaluation and potential treatments.
The calcium score provides critical information about the state of coronary artery health, often before symptoms of CAD appear. It helps in:
Risk Stratification: Identifying individuals at higher risk for heart attacks.
Preventive Care: Guiding lifestyle modifications and preventive treatments, such as cholesterol-lowering medications or blood pressure control.
Treatment Planning: Supporting decision-making for more intensive interventions if needed.
This test is often recommended for individuals with intermediate risk of CAD based on traditional risk factors, such as:
Family history of heart disease.
High cholesterol levels.
High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Smoking history.
Obesity or sedentary lifestyle.
It is not routinely recommended for individuals at very low or very high risk, as its utility in those groups is limited.
While the calcium score is an invaluable tool, it has limitations:
Does Not Detect Non-Calcified Plaque: The test only measures calcified plaque, not soft or non-calcified plaques that can also pose a risk.
No Functional Assessment: It doesn’t assess how well the heart or arteries are functioning.
Radiation Exposure: Though minimal, the test involves exposure to a small amount of radiation.
The calcium score is a powerful biomarker for assessing coronary artery health and guiding preventive cardiovascular care. If you’re concerned about your heart health or have risk factors for CAD, consult your healthcare provider to determine if a calcium score test is appropriate for you. With early detection and proactive management, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and maintain a healthier, longer life.
A calcium score between 101 and 400 indicates moderate evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). This score suggests that there is a significant amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, which may reduce blood flow to the heart over time. While not as severe as scores over 400, this range represents an increased risk for future cardiac events, such as a heart attack.
Moderate Risk of CAD: The presence of calcified plaque indicates that atherosclerosis is progressing, but it is not yet at a critical level.
Potential Symptoms: Many individuals with a score in this range may not yet experience symptoms. However, some may begin to notice warning signs, such as chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath during exertion.
Preventive Action Needed: This score is a signal to implement or intensify preventive measures to slow plaque progression and reduce cardiovascular risk.
If your calcium score is between 101 and 400, here are some essential steps you can take:
Discuss the results with your healthcare provider, who can assess your overall cardiovascular risk profile.
They may recommend additional tests, such as a stress test or other imaging studies, to evaluate the impact on heart function.
Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week.
Quit Smoking: If you smoke, quitting is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of CAD.
Your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, to reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and stabilize existing plaques.
Blood pressure control may also be necessary if hypertension is a contributing factor.
Cholesterol Levels: Keep your LDL levels in the recommended range.
Blood Pressure: Maintain a blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg, or as directed by your doctor.
Blood Sugar: If you have diabetes, ensure your blood sugar is well-controlled.
A calcium score between 101 and 400 provides an opportunity to take proactive steps to prevent further progression of atherosclerosis. While the risk is moderate, addressing contributing factors now can significantly reduce the likelihood of future complications.
Although this score represents moderate risk, any new or worsening symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, should be evaluated immediately. These could be signs of worsening CAD or other cardiac issues.
A calcium score between 101 and 400 is a wake-up call to take your heart health seriously. With the right combination of lifestyle changes, medical management, and regular monitoring, you can lower your risk of heart disease and lead a healthier life. Talk to your healthcare provider about creating a personalized plan to protect your heart.
Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.
Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.
With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.
For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
