Calcium score
CardiovascularA quantitative assessment of calcium-containing plaque in coronary arteries, detected by CT scanning.
Also known as: coronary calcium score, CAC, Agatston score, coronary artery calcium, Agaston, CAC-Wert, Herzkalk
Serves as an indicator of atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular risk independent of traditional risk factors.
Reference range
| Level | Range |
|---|---|
| Very high | above 400 |
| High | 100 to 400 |
| Intermediate | 10 to 100 |
| Normal | 1 to 10 |
| Optimal | 0 to 1 |
Source: Ahead Health benchmark
* Reference ranges may vary between labs and assays. Always interpret results with your healthcare provider.
Why this matters
Calcium is a later-stage sign of plaque buildup across all coronary arteries, reflecting established atherosclerosis and higher long term heart risk. The total score provides the most comprehensive assessment of overall coronary disease burden and is the strongest predictor of future cardiac events. Tracking calcium helps guide early action, including lifestyle measures like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and blood pressure control, and, depending on your calcium score, consultation with a cardiologist and medications to reduce risk.
How this connects to other biomarkers
- Any calcium > 0 in the context of standard risk assessment with elevated LDL Cholesterol, Apolipoprotein B, Lipoprotein (a), or elevated Heart risk score (SCORE2) strongly supports preventive therapy (e.g. statins).
- Calcium-score progression > 15% per year strongly suggests accelerated atherosclerosis (plaque buildup); correlate with hs-CRP, lipid markers, and Heart Age.
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