Why Don't We Use Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring...

[IroNat]

[Gym Rat]

A decent test for calcium and of course kicks off the follow-up tests, but does not show soft-plaque.

I know 2 guys, zero calcium, very low cholesterol, both had widow-makers... Soft plaque blockages.

[youandme]

A decent test for calcium and of course kicks off the follow-up tests, but does not show soft-plaque.

I know 2 guys, zero calcium, very low cholesterol, both had widow-makers... Soft plaque blockages.

How do you check for soft plaque?

[Gym Rat]

How do you check for soft plaque?

They can find it with more invasive testing... (Dye, Nuclear stress test, etc)...

[GymnJuice]

How do you check for soft plaque?

A stress test can let you know if you have more than 70% plaque in one of the vessels of your heart. It won't find a mild blockage. An angiogram will find smaller blockages but it isn't usually the first test to do because it is more invasive.

[Gym Rat]

Everyone over 40 should get one though (CAC). Especially if heart disease runs in family, or heavy anabolic user (or "ex-user").
I paid 100.00 out of pocket.

It kicks off more invasive tests if number seems high. I had it done, scored high (400). Hereditary.

When I went for follow-ups, did nuclear-stress. All arteries were clear. The CAC is odd because people think "high" means dying, LOL.
If all in one spot, folks can be in trouble. Mine were little specs in many places (they do a calculation and add it  up, etc), from Statins calcifying the plaque (doing their job).
My arteries are wide-open, ejection fraction is 65% (55 to 70% – Normal heart function).

The first highlighted part is where it calcifies and protects from rupture... So some (for some folks) is actually beneficial...
(Went thru it all with Boston heart specialists)..

[Irongrip400]

How do you check for soft plaque?

Get a nuclear stress test. I’ve had a few executive physicals and the last one they did a nuclear stress test. With my family history and cholesterol I figured I’d have plaque but there really wasn’t anything to worry about as of now. I’ll be doing these physicals every two years from here on out, I have one for this February.