The Coronary Calcium Score, or CAC score, is a measure of the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, which are the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. This score is typically determined through a non-invasive imaging test called a coronary calcium scan, often performed using computed tomography (CT). During the scan, the presence and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries are evaluated, and a score is assigned based on the amount of calcification detected. This score helps assess a person’s risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and provides valuable information for guiding treatment decisions and assessing overall cardiovascular health. A higher CAC score indicates a greater amount of calcified plaque and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and potential complications such as heart attacks.
