Your coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is one of the most powerful predictors of heart disease risk available today. This simple, non-invasive CT scan measures the amount of calcified plaque in your heart’s arteries, providing a numerical score that helps physicians assess your cardiovascular health. A score of zero indicates no detectable calcium and a very low risk of heart attack over the next decade. Scores between 1-99 suggest mild plaque buildup, while scores of 100-399 indicate moderate disease. Anything above 400 signals extensive plaque and significantly elevated risk requiring immediate attention and lifestyle modifications.

Understanding what these numbers mean empowers you to take proactive steps toward better heart health. If your score is elevated, it doesn’t mean a heart attack is inevitable, it means you have valuable information to guide prevention strategies. Working with your cardiologist, you can develop a personalized plan that may include dietary changes, increased physical activity, stress management, and potentially medication to slow or halt plaque progression. Many patients who discover elevated scores early go on to significantly reduce their risk through targeted interventions, proving that knowledge truly is power when it comes to cardiovascular health.