What does a calcium score of 0 mean?

Good news: no calcified plaque was found in your coronary arteries. For most people, that means a low risk of a heart attack over the next 5 to 10 years.

It isn't a guarantee, though. Early, soft plaque hasn't calcified yet, so it doesn't show on this scan. A zero is also less reassuring if you smoke, have diabetes or have early heart disease in the family. So keep looking after your cholesterol and blood pressure.

If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations, a zero doesn't rule out heart disease, so see a doctor now.