Q: A body scan found calcium (plaque) in my arteries. What should I do?
A: Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body’s tissues. Healthy arteries are free of plaque that can restrict blood flow. Blockages can begin to build up in the arteries when fat starts to enter the lining of the arteries, causing inflammation and, later, scarring. The fibrous tissue from scarring contains calcium, which is easily detectable on a CAT scan.
Calcium can be seen in many people’s arteries as they age, and we generally compare the amount of calcium present to that of other people of the same age. The detection of calcium in the arteries can be an indication of the early stages of coronary artery disease.
To help prevent or reduce calcium build-up, for all patients we recommend minimizing unhealthy foods, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking.
However, if excess calcium is seen, more aggressive care related to cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes is appropriate, and your doctor may choose to start or increase medications to treat the condition.
