The goal of cardiac CT scan for calcium scoring is to determine if CAD is present and to what extent, even if there are no symptoms. It is a screening study that may be recommended by a physician for patients with risk factors for CAD but no clinical symptoms.
The major risk factors for CAD are:
- high blood cholesterol levels
- family history of heart attacks or heart disease
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- cigarette smoking
- overweight or obese
- physical inactivity
- male over 45 years of age, female over 55 years of age
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