Hyderabad Neurologist Explains Why Ct Calcium Score Is A Useful Heart Test But Often Misunderstood

Among the various tests that help doctors determine an individual’s cardiovascular health is the CT calcium score. According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, MD, DM, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, it is useful, but is often misinterpreted by patients.

The CT calcium score test is a quick, non-invasive computed tomography (CT) scan that measures calcium deposits, or calcified plaque, in the coronary arteries.

“The higher the score, the greater the burden of atherosclerosis (a disorder in which plaque builds up in the arteries) and the higher the future risk of heart attack and cardiovascular events,” noted Dr Kumar.

The most important result in a CT calcium score is a score of zero, the neurologist noted. “Multiple large studies have shown that people with CAC (coronary artery calcium) equal to zero generally have a very low risk of heart attack over the next five to 10 years."

The CT calcium score is an important variable to consider when evaluating the health of adults over the age of 40 who do not show symptoms but have borderline or intermediate cardiovascular risk. Such individuals include those with:

“CT calcium score helps personalise risk assessment,” noted Dr Kumar. In some cases, a CT calcium score can help diagnose individuals with chest discomfort.

“In patients with low-to-intermediate likelihood of coronary disease, a calcium score of zero substantially lowers the probability of significant obstructive coronary artery disease. But symptoms still matter,” stated the neurologist.

It is important to know the limitations of a CT calcium score test ahead of performing it. As Dr Kumar explained, the test only detects calcified plaque. However, soft, non-calcified plaque that is often seen in younger patients and can still cause heart attacks can remain undetected on this test.

“Therefore, a zero calcium score does not mean zero coronary disease,” stated the neurologist. “Persistent or typical anginal symptoms should never be dismissed solely because the calcium score is zero.”

A CT calcium score test is one of the best tools for refining cardiovascular risk. But it is not a substitute for:

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

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Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More