Heart disease could be prevented with this one simple test

Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of mortality, comprising 32% of all deaths.But that doesn’t mean people are powerless against the condition — there are some steps they can take to help reduce the risk.In addition to adopting healthier lifestyle habits, getting a specific screening — the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score — can help detect early signs of heart disease, experts say.The CAC score is a specialized CT scan that measures calcium buildup in the walls of the heart’s arteries, according to board-certified cardiologist Dr.Robert Segal, founder of Manhattan Cardiology and co-founder of https://www.labfinder.com.“This calcium points to the accumulation of plaque that can cause heart disease,” he told Fox News Digital. The higher the score, the more calcium in the arteries, thus a greater likelihood of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiac issue. A calcium score of zero indicates no coronary calcium and places the individual at a very low risk for heart disease.

A calcium score greater than 400 indicates a high risk of heart disease, according to Dr.Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company that offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals.“The CAC score is obtained with a rapid, low-dose CT scan,” Maryland-based Serwer told Fox News Digital. The scan images are processed using specialized computer software, producing what is called an “Agatston score.” “This computer algorithm evaluates how much calcium is present and calculates a number or score,” Serwer said.The CAC score is a “non-traditional risk factor” that isn’t as widely known as more routine screenings like cholesterol checks or blood pressure measurements, according to Segal.“Still, awareness is rising as more research shows how valuable it is in forecasting cardiac disease,” he said.The result of the scan can help people take charge of their card...