Schedule your Coronary Artery Calcium Score today
What Is a Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Why Should You Get One?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Even worse, many heart attack victims never have warning signs. Traditional markers like blood pressure and cholesterol don’t always reveal hidden risks. This is why a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score can make a lifesaving difference.
At Healthspan Longevity, we partner with UMass Memorial Medical Center to provide CAC score testing. You schedule the test through us, and it’s performed at the UMass University Campus in Worcester, MA. The scan is noninvasive, takes just 10–15 minutes, and gives you a clear view of your cardiovascular health. As a result, you can take preventive steps before symptoms ever appear.
What Is a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score?
A CAC score is a non-contrast CT scan that measures calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. Because calcium deposits signal atherosclerosis the buildup of plaque inside artery walls—the scan helps uncover hidden heart disease.
Even if your cholesterol is normal, calcium in your arteries can reveal risk that traditional blood tests miss. In other words, the CAC scan adds another layer of precision to heart disease detection.
What Does the Test Measure?
The CAC scan looks for hard, calcified plaque. This form of plaque develops as a long-term response to inflammation in the arteries.
The test provides:
-
A total calcium score in Agatston units
-
A detailed breakdown by artery
-
A percentile score comparing your results to others of your age and sex
Scores are categorized as follows: -
0 – No visible plaque (very low risk)
-
1–99 – Mild plaque (low to moderate risk)
-
100–399 – Moderate plaque (elevated risk)
-
400+ – Extensive plaque (high risk)
Therefore, even if you feel perfectly healthy, a CAC score can reveal the earliest signs of cardiovascular disease.
How Accurate Is It?
The CAC score is among the most accurate predictors of future heart attacks. For example, research from the MESA and Heinz Nixdorf Recall studies shows that it outperforms cholesterol levels, C-reactive protein, and traditional risk calculators.
The test is highly reliable, with no false positives—if calcium is present, it’s real. It also predicts both 10-year and lifetime risk. Consequently, major guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) now recommend it for intermediate-risk patients.
Who Should Consider It?
This test is ideal for adults who want to know their heart risk over the next 5–10 years. Even people with no symptoms can benefit if they want a proactive view of their heart health.
Good candidates include:
-
Adults aged 40–75 with intermediate risk
-
Those with a family history of early cardiac events
-
People with high cholesterol or blood pressure who aren’t yet on treatment
-
Anyone considering statins but unsure if they’re needed
-
Individuals committed to longevity and prevention
In addition, the test is simple and quick. There’s no fasting, no contrast dye, and no treadmill—just a 15-minute scan.
What Happens After the Test?
Your CAC results guide the next steps:
-
Score of 0: Your 5–10 year risk is extremely low. You may avoid statins for now, though healthy lifestyle habits remain important.
-
Score of 1–99: Early plaque is present. This is the time to act with diet, exercise, and possibly targeted medications.
-
Score of 100+: Risk is elevated. Statins and more aggressive prevention are often recommended.
At Healthspan Longevity, we help you interpret the results and create a plan that fits your biology. For example, we may suggest additional tests like ApoB, Lp(a), or inflammatory markers to get a full picture of your risk.
Why Your Results Matter
A CAC score isn’t just a number it’s a roadmap. If plaque is detected, you can act early to prevent major heart events.
For instance, your prevention plan may include:
-
Adjusting your diet to improve lipid profiles and reduce inflammation
-
Increasing exercise based on VO₂ max and metabolic data
-
Addressing hidden risks like insulin resistance or sleep apnea
-
Fine-tuning medications under medical supervision
-
Tracking progress with repeat scans or labs
As a result, your chances of avoiding a heart attack improve dramatically.
How to Schedule Your Scan
Healthspan Longevity makes it simple:
-
Book your test through us.
-
We schedule the scan at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
-
You get results quickly, with no prep or fasting required.
Most importantly, we turn those results into actionable steps to improve your healthspan and lifespan.
The Bottom Line
You can’t feel plaque forming. However, you can detect it early and take control. A CAC score gives you the chance to make informed decisions about prevention.
If you’re serious about your heart health, schedule your Coronary Artery Calcium Score today.
