Coronary artery calcification, also known as CAC, refers to a buildup of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. This calcification is a sign of underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). The extent of calcification detected on a coronary artery calcium scan can help predict your risk of having a heart attack.
While coronary artery calcification does not necessarily reduce your lifespan on its own, it is an indicator of blocked and narrowed arteries. These blockages can restrict blood flow to the heart and potentially lead to a heart attack. However, how long you may live depends on several factors:
- Severity of calcification - More extensive calcification tends to signify more advanced CAD and a higher risk of future cardiac events.
- Other risk factors - Things like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, family history, etc. can increase your risk when CAD is present.
- Lifestyle changes - Adopting a healthier diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, managing stress, and addressing other modifiable risk factors may help slow progression of disease.
- Treatment - If blockages are significant, procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty/stents can restore blood flow and reduce symptoms and risk of heart attack.
With lifestyle changes and medical management as needed, most people can live for many years even with some degree of coronary artery calcification. However, the risk of heart attack goes up over the long run if calcification advances without treatment to open blocked arteries.
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