The Coronary Calcium Score Test - A Useful Test, But...
The CAC test is helpful but should be used judiciously and preferably on a doctor's recommendation
Bhavin Jankharia
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One of the vagaries of modern medicine and life is that while people get over-tested for cardiac conditions, those who would benefit from testing often fall through the cracks and land up with sudden cardiac death or major cardiac events that affect their subsequent healthspan and lifespan.
Hence, a focus on cardiovascular risk assessment at regular intervals with QRISK3 and LE8 helps you know if you are at a higher risk than normal of developing cardiac events in the future or not, with the hope that you can and will initiate steps to reduce that risk. Risk reduction involves the following
1. Appropriate physical activity
2. Lipid lowering agents (LLAs) like statins
3. Aspirin
5. Controlling high blood pressure
6. Controlling diabetes
7. Not smoking
While points 1 and 4 seem obvious, many people start with physical activity and sensible eating only when there has been a scare in the family or with themselves. Most people glide through life hoping that nothing much is likely to come in their way of eating whatever they want while staying sedate at home and at work. Point 7 is obvious and thankfully fewer and fewer people are smoking these days, but if you are, just stop. Points 5 and 6 are obvious, but provided these conditions are picked up by testing.
LLAs make a difference when the CV risk is high. When the risk is low or intermediate, they are of uncertain usefulness and like all drugs, not without side-effects, however minimal or small they may be. You must question every pill, Ayurvedic or homeopathic or modern medicine related, that you put inside our body.
One test that has the potential to change our risk status is the “coronary artery calcium score (CAC)” test. It helps adjust your CV risk and can help you and your doctors decide whether adding LLAs or aspirin will be of help.
