What’s a Healthy Calcium Score by Age? This Scan Could Signal Heart Disease Before Symptoms Start
The screening could save your life—and may even be covered by insurance
When it comes to protecting your heart, preventative testing is key. Keeping track of important metrics like blood pressure and cholesterol can help you understand your risk of cardiovascular disease. But there’s another less-discussed number that experts want you to know: your calcium score. This quick, non-invasive scan, which looks at the amount of calcified plaque in your arteries, can reveal an increased risk of heart disease—which can help your doctor determine the best treatment plan to reduce your risk. We break down everything you need to know about your calcium score by age, what the test results mean and how often you should get checked.
What is the calcium score test?
Your coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is determined through a non-invasive test called a coronary calcium scan. “A coronary calcium scan measures the amount of calcium that is deposited in the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply the heart muscle,” explains Christopher Berg, MD, board-certified cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.
These calcium deposits can be a sign of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in your artery walls. That can raise the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), a common type of heart disease that happens when harmful buildup narrows your arteries and impedes blood flow to your heart. A complete blockage can trigger a heart attack.
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The coronary calcium scan is a computed tomography (CT) scan that uses multiple X-rays to create a detailed, three-dimensional view of your heart. “The patient will be hooked up to ECG leads to time the acquisition of the scan appropriately,” Dr. Berg says. (You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the scan to minimize movement.)
The scan itself takes less than a minute, but it can provide crucial insight into your heart health, especially if you have other risk factors for heart disease, such as a strong family history of the condition. In fact, according to the American College of Cardiology, the CAC score may be the best tool for predicting the likelihood of a cardiovascular event in people with intermediate risk. (See sneaky signs of heart disease here.)
What is a good calcium score by age?
A perfect CAC score at any age is zero. This means there’s no evidence of calcium in the arteries, which indicates a very low risk of having a heart attack in the near future. In a study published in the journal Atherosclerosis, fewer than 0.05 percent of participants with a baseline score of zero died from cardiovascular disease over the course of a 12-year follow-up period.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, any calcium test score above zero—regardless of your age—indicates some degree of coronary artery disease. Below is a chart that explains what your results indicate.
| Calcium score | Coronary artery disease risk |
| 0 | No evidence of calcium buildup or coronary artery disease |
| Up to 100 | Mild evidence of coronary artery disease |
| 101 to 400 | Moderate evidence of coronary artery disease |
| Above 400 | Strong evidence of coronary artery disease |
How age affects your calcium score
When assessing your calcium score, it’s important to consider your age. It’s normal for women to start having a non-zero calcium score around age 60, Dr. Berg says. Men typically have detectable calcium levels a bit earlier, around age 50. But if your score is elevated at a younger age, your doctor may recommend taking proactive steps to reduce your heart attack risk. According to a study published in the journal Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, any CAC score above zero would be considered “high risk” for women under 55 years old.
“In the scale of someone’s life, having a CAC score of 100 is very different if you’re 30 years old than if you’re 80 years old,” Dr. Berg adds. “A score of 100 at age 30 is worrisome, and I would recommend aggressive LDL cholesterol reduction. That same number in an 80-year-old would be a relatively low value, and I may be much less aggressive with their therapeutic strategy.”
What happens if your calcium score is high for your age?
If your calcium score test results suggest moderate or extensive buildup of plaque, your doctor can help you develop a plan to reduce your cardiovascular risk. This may include dietary changes or medication to lower high cholesterol, a major contributor to plaque buildup. “These recommendations are tailored to the individual patient, with regards to their family history, other medical problems, diet and their feelings about being on medications,” Dr. Berg says.
How often should you get screened?
For most people, checking your calcium score every five years is adequate. “The process of atherosclerosis is lengthy,” Dr. Berg says. “It is unlikely to see a meaningful change in calcification in shorter time periods.”
If your calcium test score is high, or you have other cardiovascular risk factors, your doctor may recommend testing more often. If your CAC score is zero, your doctor may give you the green light to wait a little longer before your next test.
Calcium tests may be covered by insurance
“Coverage is improving, but is by no means universal,” says Dr. Berg, who notes it varies based on your unique insurance plan. It’s important to check with your insurance provider before scheduling a scan. If your insurance doesn’t cover it, the typical out-of-pocket cost is between $100 to $400, according to the American Heart Association.
The bottom line? Knowledge is power when it comes to your heart health. A calcium score test gives you valuable insight into what’s happening inside your arteries, so talk to your doctor about whether this simple scan is right for you.
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