It is one of the most relevant tests for measuring the risk of having a stroke.
It is a measurement that we know little about, however, the calcium score makes it possible to assess the state of health of the coronary arteries which irrigate the muscle of the heart. Concretely, this indicator measures the quantity of calcified atheromatous deposits which correspond to calcium deposits. “Scientific studies have shown that excess calcium can stiffen or destroy the walls of the arteries, leading to a risk of thrombosis (clot), significant stroke and sudden death.“, explains Jeanne Vicaire, cardiology nurse.
This score is measured during a simple examination called a chest CT scan, carried out without perfusion or injection of contrast product. “This examination allows you to visualize the wall of the arteries and to quantify the number of calcium deposits that are on the wall.“. At the age of sixty, a calcium score close to zero means that there are no calcium deposits and that there is no particular coronary risk (risk of less than 1% of having a stroke at 5 years). “A calcium score close to 100 (risk less than 10% at 5 years) will begin to interest us and may lead to continued investigations.“, specifies Jeanne Vicaire. A calcium score of between 100 and 400 shows early to moderate coronary atheroma. We must ensure that these deposits do not increase in the future. For this we have three weapons: diet, exercise and medications.
A calcium score greater than 400 (less than 37% risk of having a stroke at 5 years) shows lesions that can disrupt blood circulation. Other examinations should be planned (myocardial scintigraphy, stress echo, stress MRI). If the blood supply to the heart is good, it is necessary to strengthen its control of risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, excess weight, etc.). If it is abnormal, it is recommended to carry out an emergency coronary angiography which will allow the existence of significant strictures (stenoses) to be visualized and to treat them (generally by placing a stent).
“This marker is monitored more with age and even more so in people who have risk factors such as family history or classic cardiovascular factors (overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, tobacco, alcohol, etc.). )“, specifies our interlocutor.