The Value of a Coronary Artery Calcium Scan

Heart disease doesn’t usually start with symptoms. In fact, many people feel fine right up until they aren’t. That’s why early detection and prevention are so important, especially as you begin a new year and reassess your long-term health goals.

At Invision Sally Jobe, we offer coronary artery calcium (CAC) screening to help you understand your personal risk for heart disease before problems arise. It’s a quick, painless CT scan that looks for calcified plaque inside your coronary arteries — the vessels that supply blood to your heart muscle.

What is coronary artery calcium?

Over time, plaque can build up inside the arteries that feed your heart. When this plaque hardens and forms calcium deposits, they appear on a CT scan. These calcium spots don’t appear overnight — they develop slowly and quietly.

Seeing these deposits gives us a look at the earliest physical signs of coronary artery disease, long before symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath appear.

Why coronary artery calcium matters

Calcium in your coronary arteries is a marker of plaque buildup. The more calcium present, the more plaque there is and the higher your risk of developing a heart attack or other cardiac problems.

This is why CAC scoring has become such a trusted tool: It helps identify heart disease risk earlier and more accurately than traditional risk calculations alone.

Who is at risk?

Even if you feel healthy, certain factors increase your chances of developing plaque, including:

• A family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Age — risk rises for men over 45 and women over 55

If several of these factors apply to you, a CAC scan can help clarify where you stand.

Can I prevent coronary calcium buildup?

While you can’t remove existing calcium, you can slow or prevent further plaque buildup. Lifestyle choices make a significant difference:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Staying active
• Not smoking
• Managing cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar

The earlier you know your risk, the more effectively you can take action. That’s when the scan becomes incredibly valuable.

What a coronary artery calcium scan can reveal

A CAC scan doesn’t just tell you whether calcium is present — it gives you a score that helps estimate your overall risk of heart disease. This information helps your primary care provider or cardiologist determine whether you need lifestyle changes, medication, or closer monitoring.

A smarter way to approach heart health this year

A coronary artery calcium scan doesn’t diagnose disease —  it shines a light on your risk so you can take meaningful steps to protect your heart. When combined with your personal health history, it becomes one of the clearest early warning tools available.

At Invision Sally Jobe, our team uses advanced CT technology to provide accurate, comfortable CAC scans that support long-term wellness. If a healthier year is one of your goals, this simple test can give you clarity and direction.

To schedule your coronary artery calcium scan, contact Invision Sally Jobe at (720) 493-3700.