This is very inaccurate... a calcium score ONLY measures the amount of hard plaque... soft plaque will not show so even a score of 0 does NOT put anyone in the clear whatsoever... soft plauqe is what will kill you and cause an event... a ct angio is NOT the same thing as a calcium score whatsoever... a ct angio visualizes the coronary arteries and identifies blockages or narrowing, while calcium scoring measures the amount of calcified plaque, aiding in risk assessment for heart disease but is just more so an estimate... a ct angio will at least give an ACTUAL percentage of the true amount of calcification and location.. the CLEERLY test will identify the exact amount of soft plauqe vs hard plaque and be the most accurate assessment one can get...
telling someone that they have a 0 score and will just "be fine for years to come" is honestly reckless shit to say because it gives someone a false sense of security especially someone with a family history
You are incorrect here on all fronts...
Soft plaque will kill you?
No soft plaque CAN kill you
I think someone has been watching too much youtube.
It's not that simple you have simplified a rather largely multifactorial issue.
What is Soft Plaque and Why is it Dangerous?
Soft plaque, also called “vulnerable plaque,” consists of cholesterol, inflammatory cells, and lipids. This type of plaque can accumulate in the vessel wall, causing blockages that reduce the flow of blood to the heart muscle. When soft plaque ruptures, it may lead to acute coronary events such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or sudden cardiac death.
Understanding the risk factors for CAD is essential in recognizing who may benefit from testing for soft plaque. Major risk factors include:
- High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure damages arterial walls, promoting plaque buildup.
- High cholesterol: Cholesterol contributes to the formation of both soft and hard plaque in the coronary arteries.
- Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes increases inflammation and cholesterol levels, which may lead to atherosclerotic plaque buildup.
- Family history: A genetic predisposition can increase the risk of plaque burden and CAD.
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Smoking, lack of exercise, and poor dietary choices exacerbate plaque formation
How to Detect Soft Plaque in Arteries for Early Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease
Soft plaque in the coronary arteries can increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), leading to severe cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and even sudden cardiac death. Unlike hard plaque, soft plaque is prone to rupture, which can trigger acute coronary events by blocking blood flow in the coronary arteries. Early detection of soft plaque in arteries is crucial in preventing coronary heart disease and managing risk factors effectively.
Understanding the risk factors for CAD is essential in recognizing who may benefit from testing for soft plaque. Major risk factors include:
- High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure damages arterial walls, promoting plaque buildup.
- High cholesterol: Cholesterol contributes to the formation of both soft and hard plaque in the coronary arteries.
- Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes increases inflammation and cholesterol levels, which may lead to atherosclerotic plaque buildup.
- Family history: A genetic predisposition can increase the risk of plaque burden and CAD.
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Smoking, lack of exercise, and poor dietary choices exacerbate plaque formation.
Early detection methods focus on noninvasive imaging techniques to visualize plaque morphology, assess blood flow, and reveal plaque buildup in coronary arteries:
A CT coronary angiogram uses CT images and contrast dye to visualize coronary arteries, providing a detailed view of the plaque buildup, including both soft and calcified plaque. This test helps identify blockages and assess plaque burden. Calcium scoring, often included in CTCA, quantifies calcium deposits, although it primarily detects hard plaque.
- Exercise Stress Test: Measures how the heart functions under stress. A stress test can identify reduced blood flow caused by blocked arteries in the coronary heart disease.
- Nuclear Stress Test: Uses a small amount of radioactive material to evaluate blood flow, helping to detect areas of the heart that aren’t receiving enough blood.
IVUS uses sound waves to create cross-sectional images of coronary arteries. It is particularly effective in visualizing plaque morphology and assessing the plaque burden in arteries, including the presence of vulnerable plaques.
The calcium score test measures the amount of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries using a CT scan. While it doesn’t directly identify soft plaque, it can help indicate the overall risk of CAD by revealing calcified plaques.
In cases where noninvasive tests are inconclusive, invasive diagnostic tests may be necessary:
Coronary angiography involves injecting a contrast dye into the coronary arteries to observe blood flow and identify blockages. During cardiac catheterization, a catheter is threaded through the blood vessel to the coronary arteries, providing detailed images of plaque buildup.
Understanding Calcium Deposits and Calcium Scoring
While calcium scoring primarily detects hardened plaques, it’s a valuable tool in overall cardiovascular assessment. High calcium scores indicate significant calcification in coronary arteries and a high risk of CAD. Though it doesn’t detect soft plaque directly, high calcium scores suggest the presence of overall plaque
Now I don't know how they do it over there where you are from but here is the process to get a calcium score.
-Firstly you have consistent high blood pressure
-Test ordered for general blood test fasting lipids etc..
-Lipids consistently high over three tests after failing to adjust lifestyle
-Referal to specialist via GP
-cadiologist recommends stress test looking at all other factors in your life recommends stress test
-stress test normal or abnormal still symptoms
-CARDIAC CT ANGIOGRAM W/CALCIUM SCORE
(These are done together here generally if you have a decent cardiologist)
-Echocardiogram (seeing the structure and function of the heart) although this doesn't directly detect soft plaque it helps with the whole picture.
-if still symptomatic then emergency hospital visit.
-troponin.
-CRP
-Ddimer
-BNP
12 LEAD ECG
Admission to cardiology ensues, then an invasive Cardiac catheterisation may be undertaken.....
See I have detailed the complex factors involved with getting an actual calcium score and beyond but it really depends on risk factors and no test shows soft plaque in all definitity either it's just a whole bunch of tests and then assesment of risk.
Now I didn't have time to type all this as i am extremely busy but you started calling me dangerous etc and I needed to clarify that I have studied this as I wanted to be a cardiologist after biochem but just didn't have the patience to compete all the study.
Please do. Correct me if you think anything above is wrong......
Quoted from you:
"telling someone that they have a 0 score and will just "be fine for years to come" is honestly reckless shit to say because it gives someone a false sense of security especially someone with a family history"
You can read between the lines nothing should ever go above a GP advice and If you have family history this is common sense as the GP will be onto this. I can't account for ppl not realizing to do this but I have stated above the stages to get the tests needed and how it is done here... Also I believe a cardiologist is best to talk about soft plaque with not the GP (general practitioner)
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