3. Calcified plaque can be more stable because it’s less prone to rupture. But the scan can’t really tell you how stable the plaque is. Hopefully, these issues will be resolved in the coming years and more predictably will be established. For now, these scans are more of a snapshot, like an opinion poll. Here is a site that has some basic info and photos showing calcified plaque: http://www.scandirectory.com/content/heart_scan.asp
4. Although many in the medical community agree that calcified plaque is around 20% of total plaque, these tests don't decipher the hard and soft plaque ratio (cholesterol, lipids, foam cells, etc.) on an individual basis.
There is also variability in the scoring, depending on heart rate, body composition, and the radiologist’s skill in reading results, so these numbers are not as absolute as they might seem. The studies indicate that the scores can vary, with the calcium Volume Score tending to be being more accurate and reproducible compared to the Agatston Score, which can vary by 15-20%. Overall, it seems that these scores are more of a guide.
5. I’ve had questions about whether the plaque growing or retreating? Studies indicate that plaque is an active, ongoing process and can grow 10% to 30% annually, which is troublesome. But in individual cases, a single test doesn't predict plaque progression or regression until an additional test is run. Did you recently improve your eating plan or exercise? If so, the plaque might stabilize or regress. What’s more, even if you score a 0, you could have a heart attack next week, do to a rupture of soft plaque, not visible in these scans.
Critical Beat: One study showed that people with more stable plaque (growing less than 15% per year), had fewer heart problems or heart attacks. Those with plaque growing much faster (more than 15% per year) had a much higher rate of heart attacks over a 6-year span. This is important, because it indicates that stabilization of plaque growth can lower the probability for a heart attack, and this is an achievable goal if you want it!
Many adults accumulate artery plaque with age. And men tend to have more than women for a comparable age—studies show that women lag men by about 10 years. For adults over 50, about 65% of men and 30% of women have some calcified plaque.
For adults over 60, the numbers increase significantly: About 85% of men and 50% of women have calcified plaque. Those numbers continue to grow: By age 70, nearly 95% of men and 75% of women have some calcified plaque in their heart arteries!
Here is a link that has some interesting charts and graphs about artery calcium, especially near the bottom:
http://www.newportbodyscan.com/GuidetoCoronaryCalciumScoring.htm
Here’s the bottom line for me: We have lost our way when it comes to eating and lifestyle, and our unhealthy choices are leading to bad results! Remember, artery plaque is largely a symptom which can reflect a chronic lack of healthy function. It’s time to consider a fresh start!
If you’re a male over 45 or a female over 50, with a typical western diet (high-saturated fat and refined carbs), and risk factors like those on page 3, there’s a good chance you have artery plaque (and heart disease). In fact, the odds for artery plaque are so high with advancing age, I don’t think people need a heart scan, unless you want to know the score and details. Maybe later, when they have better correlations of plaque score to risk factors and events, we can make better use of that information.
As you get older, the odds climb to a 75-95% probability of having artery plaque so why wait for a heart attack or stroke? Remember, plaque is largely a symptom tied to eating and lifestyle choices. So just take control on your own, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! There is no one stopping you!
In future pages, I’ll lay out some ideas for eating and supplements. As you’ll see, I have tasty, fulfilling meals!
Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is for educational use and is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis or treatment of a licensed professional.
© 2008-2010 by Steve/Beat Heart Disease
About Me
- beatheartdisease
- Where to begin? I’ve been interested in health, diet, and nutritional supplements for 20 years, because I had a childhood illness. I learned what it’s like to be hospitalized, go through shots, surgeries, etc. It was a great lesson in what happens when you lose your health. I’ve had a decent diet for years, but had some bad habits in my 20s and 30s: I smoked cigaretts, ate fast food, etc. When I had an initial CT scan, the scan showed some plaque so I did more research into how I might reverse it. I was able to reverse it quite a bit! This blog is a result of that research along with a moderate diet and supplements. Feel free to e-mail me with questions at the contact address!
