Description

Many people are either terrified by a non-zero calcium score or falsely reassured by a score of zero. Neither reaction is helpful.

In this episode, Dr. Chris Huff breaks down the science behind coronary artery calcium scoring and explains why it has emerged as one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular risk—often outperforming traditional risk factors. You’ll learn how atherosclerosis develops, why calcium represents plaque burden and chronicity rather than blockage, and how age, fitness level, and lifestyle influence how scores should be interpreted.

Dr. Huff also explains when calcium scoring is appropriate, when coronary CT angiography (CCTA) makes more sense, and why repeat calcium scans are rarely helpful once plaque is detected. The focus throughout is not on chasing numbers, but on using the right information to prevent heart attacks before they happen.

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What Listeners Will Learn

• What a coronary artery calcium score measures—and what it doesn’t
• Why calcium reflects plaque burden and chronicity, not obstruction
• How age affects calcium score interpretation
• Why endurance athletes may have higher calcium scores 
• Who should consider a calcium score and who should not
• When CCTA is more appropriate than a calcium score
• How calcium scores guide lipid targets and prevention strategies
• When aspirin may (and may not) provide benefit
• Why routine stress testing is not required for most elevated scores
• Why serial calcium testing is rarely recommended

Key Takeaway

A calcium score doesn’t diagnose blockages—but it tells you whether atherosclerosis is already present. Used correctly, it is a powerful tool to guide prevention and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events.

Episodes Referenced in This Episode

Dr. Huff references earlier episodes that explore atherosclerosis and lipidology in greater depth:

• Episode 2: Understanding Your Cholesterol Profile and How It Affects Your Heart Health
  https://www.premiercardiohealth.com/podcast/episode/38843943/2-understanding-your-cholesterol-profile-and-how-it-affects-your-heart-health
• Episode 4: Common Cardiovascular Conditions, Risk Factors, Screening, and Modern Treatment Options
  https://www.premiercardiohealth.com/podcast/episode/1c983f10/4-common-cardiovascular-conditionsrisk-factors-screening-and-modern-treatment-options
• Episode 11: Advanced Lipidology for Cardiovascular Care (with Dr. Thomas Dayspring)
  https://www.premiercardiohealth.com/podcast/episode/f9382274/11-advanced-lipidology-for-cardiovascular-care

Resources & Evidence Mentioned

Guidelines & Consensus Statements

Grundy, S. M., Stone, N. J., Bailey, A. L., et al. (2019).
2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol. Circulation, 139(25), e1082–e1143.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625

Arnett, D. K., Blumenthal, R. S., Albert, M. A., et al. (2019).
2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Circulation, 140(11), e596–e646.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678

Coronary Artery Calcium & Risk Prediction

Budoff, M. J., Young, R., Burke, G., et al. (2018).
Ten-year association of coronary artery calcium with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events: The MESA study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(10), 1217–1226.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.07.007

Blaha, M. J., Cainzos-Achirica, M., Greenland, P., et al. (2016).
Role of coronary artery calcium score of zero and other negative risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Circulation, 133(9), 849–858.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.018524

Aspirin & Primary Prevention

Miedema, M. D., Duprez, D. A., Misialek, J. R., et al. (2014).
Use of coronary artery calcium testing to guide aspirin utilization for primary prevention. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 7(3), 453–460.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.113.000690

Cainzos-Achirica, M., Miedema, M. D., McEvoy, J. W., et al. (2020).
Coronary artery calcium for personalized allocation of aspirin in primary prevention. Circulation, 141(19), 1541–1553.
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.044243

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2022).
Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease. JAMA, 327(16), 1577–1584.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2022.4983

Lipids, Statins & Plaque Biology

Puri, R., Nicholls, S. J., Shao, M., et al. (2015).
Impact of statins on serial coronary calcification. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 65(13), 1273–1282.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.01.036

Lifestyle & Exercise

Estruch, R., Ros, E., Salas-Salvadó, J., et al. (2018).
Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. New England Journal of Medicine, 378, 2441–2449.
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1800389

Hsu, J., et al. (2025).
Paradox of exercise and coronary artery calcification: Potential underlying mechanisms. Circulation Research, 137, 335–349.

Let’s Connect:

Work with Dr. Chris Huff: Premier Cardiovascular Health

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huff.9480

Instagram: @hufcm

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or medical treatment.