Cardiovascular imaging has revolutionized the assessment of heart disease, providing powerful tools to detect and evaluate coronary artery disease (CAD) before it leads to serious complications.
Two common heart imaging tests—CT Calcium Scoring (CAC) and CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA)—serve distinct purposes. While both utilize computed tomography (CT) technology, they differ significantly in what they measure, their indications, and their clinical implications. Understanding these differences is crucial for both healthcare professionals and individuals seeking to optimize their heart health.
CT Calcium Scoring quantifies the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries as described in another article on this blog (1). It does not visualize soft plaque or assess coronary artery narrowing directly. Instead, it provides an Agatston score, a numerical representation of coronary calcium burden.
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