The calcium score and our recommendations
It is important to note that the recommendations below are general recommendations. They may be adjusted according to a patient's specific health needs. Iowa Heart Center's calcium scoring staff will notify the patient of any adjustments that should be made.
Also, these recommendations can vary according to the percentile associated with the score. The percentile is a comparison of the patient's calcium score with others of similar age. For example, a percentile of 38 does not mean the patient has a 38 percent blockage in a coronary artery, but rather that 37 percent of apparently healthy people of the patient's age and gender have lower calcium scores.
Recommendations if the score is 0-10:
· general lifestyle recommendations – regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and smoking cessation
· maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 130 mg/dl or lower, an HDL cholesterol level of more than 45 mg/dl or 55 mg/dl for women, and a triglyceride level less than 200 mg/dl
· no further cardiac testing is suggested, unless directed by a physician
· repeat the calcium scoring exam in three years
Recommendations if the score is 11-100, and if that score is less than or equal to the 75th percentile:
· general lifestyle recommendations – regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and smoking cessation
· maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 130 mg/dl or lower, an HDL cholesterol level of more than 45 mg/dl or 55 mg/dl for women, and a triglyceride level less than 200 mg/dl
· no further cardiac testing is suggested, unless directed by a physician
· take aspirin daily, unless otherwise directed by a physician – consult your family doctor before you begin
· repeat the calcium scoring exam in two years
Recommendations if the score is 11-100, and if that score is greater than the 75th percentile:
· general lifestyle recommendations – regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and smoking cessation
· maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dl or lower, an HDL cholesterol level of more than 45 mg/dl or 55 mg/dl for women, and a triglyceride level less than 200 mg/dl
· stress testing may be indicated, and should be evaluated by a physician
· take aspirin daily, unless otherwise directed by a physician – consult your family doctor before you begin
· repeat the calcium scoring exam in one year
Recommendations if the score is 101-400, and if that score is less than or equal to the 75th percentile:
· general lifestyle recommendations – regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and smoking cessation
· maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dl or lower, an HDL cholesterol level of more than 45 mg/dl or 55 mg/dl for women, and a triglyceride level less than 200 mg/dl
· stress testing may be indicated, and should be evaluated by a physician
· take aspirin daily, unless otherwise directed by a physician – consult your family doctor before you begin
· repeat the calcium scoring exam in one year
Recommendations if the score is 101-400, and if that score is greater than the 75th percentile:
· general lifestyle recommendations – regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and smoking cessation
· maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dl or lower, an HDL cholesterol level of more than 45 mg/dl or 55 mg/dl for women, and a triglyceride level less than 200 mg/dl
· stress testing with imaging is indicated, and should be evaluated by a physician
· take aspirin daily, unless otherwise directed by a physician – consult your family doctor before you begin
· repeat the calcium scoring exam in one year
Recommendations if the score is greater than 400:
· general lifestyle recommendations – regular exercise, weight control, low-fat diet and smoking cessation
· maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dl or lower, an HDL cholesterol level of more than 45 mg/dl or 55 mg/dl for women, and a triglyceride level less than 200 mg/dl
· stress testing with imaging is indicated, and should be evaluated by a physician
· take aspirin daily, unless otherwise directed by a physician – consult your family doctor before you begin
· repeat the calcium scoring exam in one year
