Shawn Younessi MD - Coronary Artery Calcium Score ppt.pptx

The Importance of Coronary Artery Calcium Score – Insights by Shawn Younessi MD
Introduction
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of individuals each year. Despite advancements in preventive cardiology, heart attacks and strokes continue to claim lives due to undetected and untreated atherosclerosis. One of the most effective tools for assessing an individual’s risk of coronary artery disease is the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. As Shawn Younessi MD emphasizes, CAC scoring is a game-changer in preventive cardiology, offering a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly predictive assessment of cardiovascular risk.

Understanding the importance of CAC scoring is crucial for both patients and physicians. In this comprehensive discussion, Shawn Younessi MD will explore what the CAC score is, how it is measured, and why it is essential in the prevention and management of coronary artery disease.

What is the Coronary Artery Calcium Score?
The coronary artery calcium score is a measurement obtained through a specialized CT scan that detects calcified plaque within the coronary arteries. This plaque buildup is a key indicator of atherosclerosis, the condition that leads to heart attacks and strokes. Shawn Younessi MD explains that calcium deposits are an advanced marker of arterial plaque, meaning that a higher CAC score correlates with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

The CAC score is measured using a specialized computed tomography (CT) scan, often referred to as a coronary artery calcium scan. The results are given as an Agatston score, which quantifies the extent of calcium in the coronary arteries:

0 – No detectable coronary calcium (low risk)
1-99 – Mild plaque burden (low to moderate risk)
100-399 – Moderate plaque burden (moderate to high risk)
400+ – Extensive coronary calcification (high risk of cardiovascular events)
The Importance of Coronary Artery Calcium Score – Insights by Shawn Younessi MD
Introduction
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of individuals each year. Despite advancements in preventive cardiology, heart attacks and strokes continue to claim lives due to undetected and untreated atherosclerosis. One of the most effective tools for assessing an individual’s risk of coronary artery disease is the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. As Shawn Younessi MD emphasizes, CAC scoring is a game-changer in preventive cardiology, offering a non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly predictive assessment of cardiovascular risk.

Understanding the importance of CAC scoring is crucial for both patients and physicians. In this comprehensive discussion, Shawn Younessi MD will explore what the CAC score is, how it is measured, and why it is essential in the prevention and management of coronary artery disease.

1. WHAT IS
CORONARY ARTERY
CALCIUM SCORE?

A simple CT scan that detects calcium
buildup in your heart’s arteries.

Predicts heart 10 Helps decide if you
attack risk before Bast SANS need medications
symptoms appear no O SIS like statins

Ask your doctor if a CAC scan is right for you!