CT Scan for Coronary Artery Calcification Window

Guest: Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D.

Host: Stephen L. Kopecky, M.D.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) scanning can help improving our assessment of the risk of heart attack or stroke in thoughtfully selected patients. Not everyone needs a CAC scan! The results of a CAC scan can be particularly helpful in deciding whether a patient should start medications to reduce their risk. Coronary artery calcium scanning is *not* used to follow a patient’s risk over time (to see whether the risk is decreasing or increasing).

Topics Discussed:

• How is a coronary artery calcification (CAC) scan done, and what can the results tell us about a patient’s cardiovascular risk and management?


• Who should consider having a CAC scan? Should a patient discuss the possibility of a CAC scan with their doctor, and should they just self-refer to a screening center?


• What changes can we make in patient management based on CAC scan findings?


• How should we monitor whether the management is improving the patient’s cardiovascular risk? How often should a CAC scan be done?

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Podcast episode transcript found here.