What Does My CT Scan Report Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 30 Aug 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 Answered on

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 70... 5 '6"... 192....today I went to a heart clinic because they were offering a CT scan of the heart which showed the hardened calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. It does not show the soft plaque. They said my total score was 796.3....Can you comment on that score. I dont have chest pain or problems. I walk alot. They looked at the left main..lad...cx...and RCA.... does this score mean i should do something immediately???

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please tell the detailed report

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome.
This is Dr Sameer, cardiologist.

You definitely have a high coronary calcium score. A score of zero has 100% predictive value of no blockage in coronary arteries. A value more than 371 has high sensitivity that their could be significant blockage in the arteries of heart (coronary arteries).
Yours is 796, this means that their are high chances that their could be blockage.

As you said they also saw the arteries, than please tell the full report of what does it say about those arteries. If it says all arteries are clear than their is nothing to worry but if it showed blockage in them, than you will need additional test in form of invasive Coronary Angiogram to rule it out.

Thanks & take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (2 hours later)

.I had a CT scan that showed " hardened calcified plaque within the coronary arteries." The scan did not show soft plaque blockages. Left main-293.9
LAD/112.6. CX46.3. RCA 343.4. Total 796.3
My total cholesterol , blood pressure, triglicerides, LDL, HDL , and diabetes screen was all normal. My body mass index was 30( normal is 25 and below)....
Please comment... i have no symptoms. I walk very much

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can go for stress echo

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
Your Coronary calcium score is bit on the higher side, but as you have no symptoms,. you need not go for a Coronary Angiogram right away.
You can instead get a stress echo done. If that is positive than you will need a Coronary Angiogram.
I'll also recommend you to start on Combination of Ecosprin 75mg + Atorvastatin 10mg.
Actually the calcium starts depositing in our blood vessels as our age increases. So some amount of calcium will be present in every blood vessel.

Hope this answers your query, if you have any more question, I'll be happy to help.
Thanks and take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (1 hour later)

One last question doctor. Is this a condition I can make less serious if I eat better and loose weight. Can I prevent rapid health decline???
Thanks!!!!!

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Precautions to prevent coronary disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Coronary disease prevention can be done by diet, exercise and lifestyle modification.
Decrease fat intake, stop junk food, exercise regularly, stop smoking and alcohol (if you are doing so).
But a already present coronary blockage can not be removed by all this. These things can only prevent it from getting worse.
I will again advise you for stress echo & start combination of Aspirin 75 or 81mg with Atorvastatin 10mg.
If you have any more questions, I'll be happy to help.
Thanks & take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad