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Understanding Coronary Calcium Scoring
In this episode, Dr. Hodara will discuss what coronary calcium scoring is, how it is performed, and the latest on research in the field on who may benefit from this testing.
Featuring:
Learn more about Roberto Hodara, M.D.
Roberto Hodara, M.D.
Roberto Hodara Friedmann, MD, specializes in cardiology and is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He practices at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute and is affiliated with UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Carlisle, UPMC West Shore, and UPMC Community Osteopathic. Dr. Friedmann earned his medical degree at Universidad de la Republica. He completed his residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center and a fellowship at Emory University Hospital.Learn more about Roberto Hodara, M.D.
Transcription:
Caitlin Whyte: Coronary calcium scoring is a phrase you've probably never heard before, but it's a quick test that helps determine if you have coronary artery disease or C A d joining us to discuss what coronary calcium scoring is and the latest research in the field is Dr. Roberto Hodara, a noninvasive cardiologist with UPMC, Heart and Vascular Institute. This is Healthier You, the podcast from UPMC in central Pennsylvania. I'm Caitlin Whyte. Doctor, start us out with a definition here. What is coronary calcium scoring?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: The coronary calcium score is a test that helps evaluate the risk of future heart attacks. It uses computerized tomography or a CT scan to measure the amount of calcium deposits in the Corona arteri. Which are the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. And that amount of calcified plaque in the arteries is quantified and reported as a score, which can range from zero to all the way above 400. And the higher the score, the higher the risk.
Caitlin Whyte: Gotcha. So who would be a great candidate for this type of screening?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: So this type of screening is recommended for those patients between ages of 40 and 75. Without a prior history of heart attacks, but who are considered to be at intermediate risk for having one based on clinical risk factors. And these risk factors may include, for instance, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco use, or a family history of heart disease.
Caitlin Whyte: So once you're determined to be a good candidate, how is the scoring performed?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: The process itself is pretty quick and simple. So the patient doesn't require a lot of preparation time. They get into a hostile gown and they get scanned on a CT scan. The scanning itself takes only seconds. There is no IV line or there is no contrast dye, and the amount of radiation is very, very small. It's still not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Caitlin Whyte: Of course. So it's a quick CT scan. Tell us what happens after, when do we get these results, and what happens with that information? What are some next steps?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: Yes. So the results are available very quickly. The score is done pretty much computerized now, so results are usually available immediately or the next day, and the score results are used to tailor the treatment of the patient and basically to tailor how aggressive we are with risk factor modification depending on the score. So a higher score indicates higher risk, so therefore your doctor would be more inclined to trying to get lower cholesterols levels or lower blood pressure and things like that to reduce the risk.
Caitlin Whyte: I love that. Well, this sounds like an exciting option for screening and getting ahead on some treatments, like you mentioned. Can you tell us about the latest research in the field?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: Yeah, so traditionally coronary calcium score was reserved for patients who were asymptomatic, meaning they were not having active symptoms of chest pain or other symptoms suggest coronary heart disease. However, more recently, the new chest pain management guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association do recommend the use of the coronary calcium score in selected patients presenting with chest pain who are deemed to be at lower risk. And that is because a calcium score of zero really pretends a very good prognosis and a very low risk that these symptoms are related to coronary disease and may obviate the need for further testing.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, it's always great to hear about these new technologies doctor, if someone's listening and thinks this might be a good option for them, how would they get started on that process? I assume reaching out to their primary care provider first?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: I think the primary care doctor could be a very good initial resource. Because they are already available in our system and most primary doctors are able to order this. It is a simple process.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Doctor, thank you so much for your time and for sharing this information and screening option with us. For more information about coronary calcium scoring, visit upmc.com/centralpaccs. And thank you for listening. This has been Healthier You, a podcast from UPMC. I'm Caitlin Whyte. Be well.
Caitlin Whyte: Coronary calcium scoring is a phrase you've probably never heard before, but it's a quick test that helps determine if you have coronary artery disease or C A d joining us to discuss what coronary calcium scoring is and the latest research in the field is Dr. Roberto Hodara, a noninvasive cardiologist with UPMC, Heart and Vascular Institute. This is Healthier You, the podcast from UPMC in central Pennsylvania. I'm Caitlin Whyte. Doctor, start us out with a definition here. What is coronary calcium scoring?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: The coronary calcium score is a test that helps evaluate the risk of future heart attacks. It uses computerized tomography or a CT scan to measure the amount of calcium deposits in the Corona arteri. Which are the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. And that amount of calcified plaque in the arteries is quantified and reported as a score, which can range from zero to all the way above 400. And the higher the score, the higher the risk.
Caitlin Whyte: Gotcha. So who would be a great candidate for this type of screening?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: So this type of screening is recommended for those patients between ages of 40 and 75. Without a prior history of heart attacks, but who are considered to be at intermediate risk for having one based on clinical risk factors. And these risk factors may include, for instance, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco use, or a family history of heart disease.
Caitlin Whyte: So once you're determined to be a good candidate, how is the scoring performed?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: The process itself is pretty quick and simple. So the patient doesn't require a lot of preparation time. They get into a hostile gown and they get scanned on a CT scan. The scanning itself takes only seconds. There is no IV line or there is no contrast dye, and the amount of radiation is very, very small. It's still not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Caitlin Whyte: Of course. So it's a quick CT scan. Tell us what happens after, when do we get these results, and what happens with that information? What are some next steps?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: Yes. So the results are available very quickly. The score is done pretty much computerized now, so results are usually available immediately or the next day, and the score results are used to tailor the treatment of the patient and basically to tailor how aggressive we are with risk factor modification depending on the score. So a higher score indicates higher risk, so therefore your doctor would be more inclined to trying to get lower cholesterols levels or lower blood pressure and things like that to reduce the risk.
Caitlin Whyte: I love that. Well, this sounds like an exciting option for screening and getting ahead on some treatments, like you mentioned. Can you tell us about the latest research in the field?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: Yeah, so traditionally coronary calcium score was reserved for patients who were asymptomatic, meaning they were not having active symptoms of chest pain or other symptoms suggest coronary heart disease. However, more recently, the new chest pain management guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association do recommend the use of the coronary calcium score in selected patients presenting with chest pain who are deemed to be at lower risk. And that is because a calcium score of zero really pretends a very good prognosis and a very low risk that these symptoms are related to coronary disease and may obviate the need for further testing.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, it's always great to hear about these new technologies doctor, if someone's listening and thinks this might be a good option for them, how would they get started on that process? I assume reaching out to their primary care provider first?
Roberto Hodara, M.D.: I think the primary care doctor could be a very good initial resource. Because they are already available in our system and most primary doctors are able to order this. It is a simple process.
Caitlin Whyte: Well, Doctor, thank you so much for your time and for sharing this information and screening option with us. For more information about coronary calcium scoring, visit upmc.com/centralpaccs. And thank you for listening. This has been Healthier You, a podcast from UPMC. I'm Caitlin Whyte. Be well.