🫀 Calcium Buildup in Your Arteries: What You Need to Know!

Описание: Your arteries are constantly exposed to damage from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. When this happens, your body tries to “repair” the damage by forming plaque, made of cholesterol and inflammatory cells. Over time, calcium deposits in the plaque to stabilize it, but this hardens the arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing heart attack risk.

Why Does It Matter?
❌ Blocks blood flow to the heart
❌ Increases risk of heart attacks
❌ Sign of long-term plaque buildup

How Do We Diagnose It?
✅ Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score – A simple CT scan that detects calcium in the arteries and helps predict your heart disease risk. While CAC scoring is a powerful tool, it only detects calcified plaque, meaning we can still miss some patients with non-calcified (soft) plaque. However, if your calcium score is zero, your prognosis is generally excellent, with a low risk of major heart events.
✅ Stress Test & Angiography – If symptoms like chest pain occur, or calcium score is markedly elevated further tests can check for significant blockages.

How to Prevent Calcium Buildup?
✔ Control Cholesterol – Lower LDL (“bad” cholesterol) with a heart-healthy diet & meds if needed.
✔ Manage Blood Pressure & Diabetes – Keep numbers in check to prevent artery damage.
✔ Quit Smoking – Smoking accelerates calcium buildup!
✔ Exercise & Diet – Move daily & eat a diet rich in veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

When Is Bypass Surgery Needed?
✅ Severe blockages in major heart arteries, especially the left main artery
✅ Multiple blocked arteries in diabetics
✅ Previous stents failed or symptoms persist despite treatment 🩺 Takeaway: Calcium buildup is a warning sign—catch it early, take action, and protect your heart! If you have concerns, talk to your cardiologist about getting a CAC score to assess your risk.

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