“Should I have a calcium scoring test?”
I am a 65 year old male with a family history of heart disease. About 5 years ago I had an abnormal stress test. This was followed up with an angiogram. The angiogram showed I had a small amount of blockage. The cardiologist told me my heart looked better than many people my age and it was unlikely I would die from the heart as long as I didn't smoke. My PCP now wants me to have a calcium scoring test. Is this test really necessary given I had the angiogram performed? I am cautious about radiation.
Male | 65 years old
3 Answers
Cardiologist|CardiovascularDiseaseCardiologist
Calcium Scoring tests are good baseline tests. You already know you have some partial non obstructive heart disease and would probably opt for following up with cardiology to get their diagnosis.
Things can change in 5 years. If you have symptoms, that is reasonable. Ask your cardiologist.
I'd say ask your cardio. What the calcium score will help do is stratify your risk. More coronary calcium = more atherosclerosis = presumed greater risk. At your age, unless you undergo multiple CT exams per year, the radiation is very low and essentially negligible.
All the best.
All the best.
