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Mild Calcified Coronary Atherosclerosis (CAC
score 11-100)
Our Cardiology Panel Report for Patients
and Physicians
Electron Beam (Ultrafast) CT examination of
the entire coronary system detected mild calcified plaque "burden" at this
time.
A score of this magnitude indicates that
definite (but not far advanced) calcified atherosclerosis is present. It is
likely that mild or minimal areas of coronary narrowing are present. In the
asymptomatic patient, these lesions are rather unlikely to represent
"significant" fixed obstruction to blood flow in the coronary system. The
overall risk of cardiovascular events in the foreseeable future is
considered moderate.
Mild scores have greater significance in
younger patients (less than age 50) or if calcification is seen in 2 or more
vessels. If the score is greater than 75% of age and sex matched peers (see
radiology report), it is probable that the process of atherosclerosis is
developing earlier or faster than is desirable and should be addressed. In
many cases, a physician's advice on risk factor modification will be
warranted. Close adherence to national guidelines (NCEP) for a history of
elevated cholesterol will be necessary under the supervision and direction
of a physician. Unless otherwise contraindicated by a physician, a daily
dose of aspirin is recommended.
If conventional risk factors cannot by
themselves explain the amount of plaque that has developed, your physician
may decide to consider further risk factor evaluation (e.g., sophisticated
lipoprotein blood analysis) to help explain the findings. In addition, if
appropriate, counseling and additional risk factor modification may be
considered by your physician. Again, standard national guidelines for
cholesterol management will usually govern any decision for lipid-lowering
medications.
Always remember, that any chest or
cardiorespiratory symptoms (including chest pain, tightness, shortness of
breath, etc.) may be serious and deserves clinical evaluation from a
physician, regardless of EBCT scores.
Front Range Preventive Imaging is a coronary
artery disease risk assessment testing facility only and cannot substitute
for a careful examination by a physician. All recommendations from our
center are suggestions based solely upon information supplied by the
conventional risk factor questionnaire and by EBCT scan results. The
patient's own physician is best able to make definitive therapeutic
decisions based upon careful history, physical, this report and other
testing, if necessary.
