What is a calcium scan, and why does it matter?

A coronary calcium scan uses computerized tomography (CT) imaging to take pictures of your heart's arteries. It can detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. Calcium deposits can narrow the arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.

Studies have shown that calcium scores have a higher correlation with future cardiac events than cholesterol scores. If a high amount of calcium is detected within the coronary arteries, that person has a higher risk of suffering a cardiac event in the near future. This is not controversial. This measure has been around for years. If patients have a high calcium score there is a high probability of suffering a cardiac event within the next several years or even months. This is proof that calcium is the real culprit.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/heart-scan/about/pac-20384686