What is Coronary Calcification?

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When we do chest CT scans, the conclusions often include the words "coronary calcification" in addition to the lung condition. In the past, traditional CT scan did not show calcification, but now the thin-slice chest ct can see the coronary artery calcification of the heart. So, what exactly does coronary calcification mean, and is it harmful?

1.What is coronary calcification?

Coronary calcification on a CT scan refers to small spots (calcification points) along the coronary artery in the CT. Coronary artery is the blood vessel that supplies the heart muscle. We often say coronary heart disease refers to myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, heart failure and other conditions caused by coronary artery stenosis and blockage.

2. What causes coronary artery calcification?

Risk factors for coronary artery calcification (that is, the accumulation of calcified plaque seen on CT) include established risk factors for heart disease, such as males, older age, glucose intolerance, tobacco use, dyslipidemia (lipoprotein metabolic disease, including hypercholesterolemia), hypertension, and obesity.

3. What further examination should patients with coronary artery calcification do?

Coronary calcification also depends on the degree and symptoms of the patient. If the calcification is only punctate calcification on the coronary artery, most of the problems are not serious. If it is a long, extensive calcification, and if the patient has a history of chest tightness and pain, the possibility of coronary heart disease should be suspected. In this case, it is generally recommended to do coronary ct first. Coronary CT is a fine-view CT specifically designed to look at coronary arteries. Coronary CT (a non-invasive examination similar to conventional enhanced CT, which requires contrast media) can be used to preliminarily assess whether there is coronary artery stenosis.

To sum up, coronary artery calcification is just a CT image. Once it occurs, first of all, do not over-interpret or over-stress it. This is not the same as coronary heart disease, symptomatic patients, or elderly patients with high blood lipid, it is recommended to do coronary artery CT for further examination.

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