The best way to protect your heart is to find problems early. Many people don't know they have heart problems until they start to feel sick, but by then, the damage may be too far gone to be fixed. Doctors use the calcium score test to check the health of your heart before you even notice any signs. You can find out about secret risks with this test, and you can move before heart disease becomes life-threatening. Here, we'll talk about what this test is, how it works, and why it's so important for your health.
What Is a Calcium Score Test?
The calcium score test is a type of CT scan that checks how much calcium has built up in the coronary arteries. These arteries bring blood to your heart. Plaque, which is made of calcium deposits, can stop blood flow and raise the risk of a heart attack. Your doctor gets a "score" from the test that tells them how much calcium is in your body. If the number is higher, it means there is more plaque, which could mean you are more likely to get heart disease.
This scan can find problems early, while other tests only check heart performance when signs appear. The process is simple and painless, and it normally only takes twenty minutes. It's a good choice for people who want to feel good about their heart health.
Why Does Calcium Build Up in the Arteries?
Plaque that hardens and narrows the vessels is known as atherosclerosis, and calcium buildup is a sign of it. This process usually happens slowly over time and can be brought on by a number of things, including diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, or just getting older. Plaque can be hidden in people who look healthy and don't have any signs.
A doctor can get a good idea of your risk level by checking how much calcium is in your arteries. This knowledge will help you a lot as you decide if you need to make changes to your lifestyle, take medicine, or get more tests to protect your heart.
Why Your Heart Health Depends on It?
Heart disease is still one of the main reasons people die, but it can be avoided very easily. It is important to get the calcium score test because it can find heart problems years before they become a heart attack or other dangerous issue. Doctors can help you lower your chance by giving you advice on food, exercise, and treatment if they find it early.
In this case, if your test shows little to no calcium, you can be sure that your risk of heart trouble is very low. But if your score is high, your doctor may suggest changes, like taking medicine to lower your cholesterol or being checked on more often. The test gives you the tools to protect your heart health before problems happen.
Who Should Consider a Calcium Score Test?
Although not everyone needs this test, it is very helpful for people who are more likely to get sick. You may want to ask your doctor about it if you:
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Are over 40 and concerned about heart disease
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Have a family history of heart problems
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Suffer from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes
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Are a smoker or have smoked in the past
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Lead a stressful or sedentary lifestyle.
The Role of Local Heart Scans
You may have heard of a heart scan. It is a type of preventive health care. Advanced imaging technology is available at clinics in the area, which makes it easy and useful for people to get their calcium levels checked. The care you get at a local center is more specialized, so your doctor can quickly look over your results and help you take the best steps for your heart[1].
Finding the Right Place for Your Test
It is just as important to pick where to get your scan as it is to decide to get it. If you want to get good care, you might want to schedule a heart scan, where there are a lot of clinics that focus on keeping hearts healthy, such as Viascan in Irving, TX. Working with local professionals will make sure you get the correct results and reliable help that fits your needs.
Conclusion
It's important to take care of your heart because it's the most important muscle in your body. You can check for secret health risks and take charge of your health with the heart scan. It's easy, quick, and accurate. You and your doctor can make decisions that may keep you from having major heart problems in the future if you know your calcium score. It's important to find problems early, before they get worse.
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