Normal
Zero to 10 CAC score basically no Plaque detected
This what we all wish to be
Zero to 10 CAC score basically no Plaque detected
This what we all wish to be
MILD 11-100 CAC score
amount artery with mild/some blockages that are in the 20-40% range.
Typically, we call heart blockage less than 40% mild.
Such blockages are clearly not causing restriction to blood flow and therefore very unlikely to be causing symptoms.
It is important to note, however, that there is clear evidence here of progressive coronary artery disease and such patients need aggressive attention paid to risk factors for coronary disease (cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure etc.), appropriate medicines, and healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss and dietary modification.
Paying close attention to these things can prevent progression of heart blockage and help to stabilize it.
Don’t forget, it is often the mild heart blockage that can become unstable and burst, leading to a heart attack.
amount artery with mild/some blockages that are in the 20-40% range.
Typically, we call heart blockage less than 40% mild.
Such blockages are clearly not causing restriction to blood flow and therefore very unlikely to be causing symptoms.
It is important to note, however, that there is clear evidence here of progressive coronary artery disease and such patients need aggressive attention paid to risk factors for coronary disease (cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure etc.), appropriate medicines, and healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss and dietary modification.
Paying close attention to these things can prevent progression of heart blockage and help to stabilize it.
Don’t forget, it is often the mild heart blockage that can become unstable and burst, leading to a heart attack.
Moderate 101-400 cac score
amount of heart blockage is typically that in the 40-70% range, as seen in the diagram above where there is a 50% blockage at the beginning of the right coronary artery.
Usually, heart blockage in the moderate range does not cause significant limitation to blood flow and so does not cause symptoms.
Moderate coronary artery disease is treated much in the same way as mild disease, basically attention to risk factors, medications, and healthy lifestyle modification.
Occasionally, heart blockage at the higher end of the moderate range (50-70%) may require additional testing to see if it is significant or not and may be responsible for symptoms.
amount of heart blockage is typically that in the 40-70% range, as seen in the diagram above where there is a 50% blockage at the beginning of the right coronary artery.
Usually, heart blockage in the moderate range does not cause significant limitation to blood flow and so does not cause symptoms.
Moderate coronary artery disease is treated much in the same way as mild disease, basically attention to risk factors, medications, and healthy lifestyle modification.
Occasionally, heart blockage at the higher end of the moderate range (50-70%) may require additional testing to see if it is significant or not and may be responsible for symptoms.
Severe Over 400 cac score
heart blockage is typically that in the greater than 70% range.
This degree of narrowing is associated with significantly reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and can underlie symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
In the diagram above, an 80% blockage can be seen at the beginning of the vessel.
This is actually a bypass graft in someone that has had bypass surgery.
The severe heart blockage caused symptoms and was treated with placement of a stent as can be seen in the picture.
Soft plaque is like say pouring bacon fat down your sink and begins to narrow the arteries no test current to check for this except if you do your CRP test and Lp2a test these are inflammation markers and if they are out of range the odds are you have soft plaque. Monitor you BP and pulse rates. Two type soft and calcified. Calcified CT scan picks up... soft will not be shown.
Sometimes, bypass surgery is required in the setting of multiple severe blockages.
I will say if you have a 70% blockage or more your cardiologist may wish and recommend a stent. If this is the case I would say go do it. I rather you not suffer a MASSIVE HEART ATTACK as I did.
I say this because that 70% or more can break off and block blood flow to the heart and that heart muscle dies immediately and you only have 50% chance of surviving a Heart Attack so don't risk it!
From the FIRST SIGN of a Heart Attack you only have 90 minutes to make it to the ER chew an aspirin this help thin your blood and call 911.