The risk of heart attack can be reliably assessed through coronary CT calcium scans and similar methods. The specialized machine is able to find calcium deposits in the arteries that can make the pathways narrower. The coronary calcium score can be used in tandem with other markers to provide a confident prognosis. The higher the score, the greater the likelihood of a cardiac event because of the greater presence of calcium deposits where they should not be.
The deposits build up slowly over time. For this reason, only those of advanced age are usually advised to get heart scans. Women under 50 and men under 40 will generally have clear arteries or at least have calcium levels that are not detectable due to their small amounts. Family history should also be considered. Talk to your doctor if you are feeling anything out of the ordinary that could point to a heart problem.
