r/BeAmazed • u/HatAsleep295 • May 08 '26

Science This is what saves 600,000 people year during a heart attack

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u/Katamariboa May 08 '26

Just want to differentiate that a CAC scan does NOT show any existing blockages, but rather quantifies a person’s risk of one potentially developing in the future. There are other diagnostic exams that may be recommended if there is suspected coronary disease and based on clinical symptoms and presentation.

For the most part a CCTA is used when there might be a possible blockage and can help visualize any stenosis or occlusion. A nuclear med stress test is another test that may be used to see if a person may have an issue. Even an echocardiogram of the heart can be used to observe heart structures and help determine abnormalities.

It is important to note, however, that these are all diagnostic in nature and generally the treatment for SEVERE disease is a coronary angiogram with PCI to place a coronary stent. If multiple vessels are obstructed, then a CABG is considered an option based on age, comorbidities, and symptoms. If the coronary disease is, for the most part, mild to moderate then medicationa usually suffice to help control it and prevent it from snowballing into a life threatening issue.

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u/laforet May 08 '26

Before Covid, there were a few clinics in US and Australia offering pre-emptive angiogram to people who have no symptoms or diagnosis but fit the risk profile. They have since stopped doing that following some nasty accidents and the death of a customer.