A $100 heart scan can change your treatment plan. It can also mislead you.
Coronary artery calcium scoring, also called CAC, is one of the most talked-about heart tests right now.
It is inexpensive. It is widely available. And more patients are coming to me to help them make sense of it in their context.
In this podcast:
What does a CAC score measure
What it misses
When it helps guide decision-making
A zero score does not rule out soft plaque.
A high score matters, especially in younger patients.
And the test should never be interpreted in isolation.
I also discuss where ApoB, triglycerides, and Lp(a) fit into the bigger picture of cardiovascular prevention.
If you are on the border about starting medication, or trying to understand your heart risk more clearly, this episode will help you think about CAC the right way.
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Disclaimer:
Dr. Mohammad Ashori is a U.S.-trained family medicine physician turned health coach. The content shared here is for education and general guidance only. It is not personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Humans are complicated and context matters. Always talk with your own healthcare team before making medical decisions, changing medications, or ignoring symptoms. This information is to help you add more depth to those conversations.
