The insanely accurate heart attack prediction tool doctors aren’t using enough

Assessing your heart attack risk would be so easy if you could actually see the amount of plaque build-up in your arteries.

And I’m happy to tell you that’s not just some futuristic wish. You and your doctor can get that snapshot anytime you like with a technique known as coronary artery calcium (CAC) screening.  It can tell if you have atherosclerosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries) — a contributing factor to heart disease and heart-related events.

Despite its usefulness and accuracy, doctors aren’t heavily relying on CAC screenings, which is a real shame — especially since it’s one of the most reliable diagnostic tools medical science has ever devised.

The evidence is in — this test is the gold standard

But no matter how useful a new technology might be, it can take a while for the medical mainstream to adapt. However, at this point, the evidence behind CAC effectiveness is so decisive that it’s time for this to become a standard approach for gauging heart risk.

For example, take this study from University of Texas Southwestern researchers. In 2017, their team assessed CAC results alongside medical records for nearly 6,200 people who were, on average, in their early 60s.

To the surprise of the Texas team, about half the large cohort had a CAC score of zero. That is, they had no calcium buildup in their arteries at all.

And even more impressive was the way CAC results predicted heart trouble. Those who had zero scores had a mere 3 percent chance of experiencing a heart attack or stroke during the 10-year follow-up.

And in fact, just this summer, researchers at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation reported a similar investigation with a much younger cohort who were in their early 40’s, on average.

About one-third of the participants had some degree of calcium buildup, and just a little over 7 percent had scores over 100. (I’ll tell you more about CAC scoring in a moment.)

Analysis showed that in the nearly 13-year follow-up period, those with a CAC score over 100 were 10 times more likely to die from heart disease or related factors compared to participants who scored zero.

In other words, no matter your age, a CAC test can accurately predict your future heart health over the next few years. Dr. Fred Pescatore offers some important insights about how best to use this remarkable tool.

How to read your score

In Dr. Pescatore’s Ultimate Heart-Protection Protocol, he explains that calcification is the process by which plaque forms and hardens in your arteries. That’s why he calls CAC’s ability to pick up on detectable levels of calcium “about as straightforward as cardiovascular red flags get.”

Dr. Pescatore says that he uses CAC almost exclusively to decide if his patients with high cholesterol really need to take cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. He describes himself as an “avid opponent” of statins, but he finds that there are a few exceptions in which these drugs can be useful. CAC results quickly identify these rare exceptions.

The screening result — that is, the score — depends on how many calcifications show up. Dr. Pescatore breaks down the scoring like this:

  • “If your CAC score is zero, good for you — you have no evidence of coronary artery disease, or CAD, and thus virtually no chance of having a heart attack.
  • “If it’s below 100, you have minimal or mild evidence of CAD.
  • “A score of 100 to 400 is in the moderate CAD range.
  • “And if it’s over 400, watch out — you have extensive evidence of CAD and a high likelihood of having a heart attack.”

Dr. Pescatore notes that he may consider prescribing a statin drug when a score comes in over 400. But he adds, “This is a decision you need to talk over with your doctor.”

Check your score as needed

If you have high cholesterol, chest pains, or a family history of heart disease, Dr. Pescatore suggests that you consult with your primary care physician about getting a CAC.

But he adds this practical note: Most health insurance plans still don’t cover this invaluable scan. Fortunately, CAC is relatively inexpensive, with prices typically running between $100 and $200.

Cost aside, Dr. Pescatore recommends a CAC test every five years, depending on your results. With higher scores, you and your doctor may want to schedule more frequent tests.

And if your CAC score turns out to be high, Dr. Pescatore’s Ultimate Heart-Protection Protocol offers plenty of proven, drug-free strategies that will help you safely bring it down and lower your risk for a heart-related event. Click here to explore more details about this wide-ranging heart protective program, or to enroll today.

SOURCES

“Calcium in Arteries May Best Predict Risk of Heart Attack, Stroke” HealthDay News, 8/31/17. (consumer.healthday.com/circulatory-system-information-7/coronary-and-artery-news-356/calcium-in-arteries-may-best-predict-risk-of-heart-attack-stroke-725438.html)

“Coronary Artery Calcium Testing Predicts Death in Patients Under 50” Medpage Today, 7/19/19. (medpagetoday.com/cardiology/prevention/81125?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2019-07-20&eun=g1217945d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202019-07-20&utm_term=NL_Daily_DHE_Active)