Coronary Calcification

As you age, calcium from your bloodstream can begin to settle in other parts of your body. Arteries that are damaged, inflamed, or have undergone repairs are more likely to attract calcium deposits. These deposits start small and increase in size over time as more builds up, with the process sometimes starting as early as in your twenties. According to researchers, the reason calcification begins is due to smooth muscle cells in the intimal layer dying.

If your arteries begin calcifying early, it may go unnoticed for several years as younger people do not usually have reasons to get imaging, and if you do happen to get imaging, the amount of calcium at this point may be so small that it is unable to be seen.

There are a variety of tests your doctor may order to determine whether you have coronary artery calcification. Your doctor will begin with a physical exam and blood test while reviewing your personal and family medical history. Once this has been done, your doctor may conduct a coronary calcium score test, which is a screening test that uses a low radiation CT scan to find plaque in the coronary arteries. The higher the calcium score, the likelier you are to have coronary calcification.

Other tests your doctor may use include a coronary CT angiogram, which is a non-invasive test to measure your blood flow, as well as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and stress tests. More invasive tests to check the progression of the disease exist as well, such as a cardiac intravascular ultrasound, which is where your doctor will place an ultrasound wand at the end of a catheter to see the inside of your coronary arteries, allowing them to determine what stage of disease you are at.

To combat this disease, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or in severe cases, surgery. Lifestyle changes that can either prevent or slow the progression of coronary calcification include a healthy diet, increased physical activity, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and losing weight. Your doctor may prescribe medications such as cholesterol medication, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and medicine to prevent or dissolve blood clots.

In late stages of coronary calcification, your doctor may suggest surgical procedures to fight the disease. These include intravascular lithotripsy, in which a catheter is attached to a device that, when inserted, sends pressure waves designed to break up the calcification. After this, a stent is inserted to keep your arteries open.

Other surgical procedures that may be done include a rotational, orbital, or laser atherectomy in order to cut out the plaque and calcium from your artery. Bypass surgeries and angioplasties may also be recommended to treat the disease.

Coronary artery calcification often has no apparent symptoms in the beginning, but as more calcium builds up people may begin to experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness in your hands or feet, a decrease in blood pressure, and even heart attacks.