Coronary Artery Calcium Trend 2026

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a precise measure of calcified plaque within heart arteries, detected via a quick, non-contrast CT scan. This score directly predicts future heart attack risk, often outperforming standard cholesterol checks. It is most valuable for individuals aged 40-70 with intermediate risk factors, guiding decisions on whether to start statin therapy. A zero score indicates very low risk, while higher scores necessitate aggressive prevention.