CAC is the right test for people who already have identified that they have major risk factors such as metabolic syndrome/T2D, high cholesterol, etc. It identifies whether heart disease has already advanced enough that the risk factor has become a risk.

Some of the tests you list (like A1C) are baseline things everyone should get checked every year. Agreed that the others could provide value for those who want to know more about their risk level; however, it’s uncommon for those tests to turn up positives without one of the baselines having already raised at least a yellow flag.

None of the tests you listed will tell you whether you have any soft plaque buildup. They just tell you more about your risk factors. However, there are ultrasound tests that can detect increased blood pressure in major arteries, which IIRC does reflect soft plaque buildup.

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CalChris 6 days ago | parent | next [-]

Lp(a) is a once in your lifetime test and also not very expensive.

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dr_ 5 days ago | parent [-]

Sometimes free as well. Certain CROs offer free screening: https://cardiometabolicscreening.careaccess.com/en?_gl=1*1du...

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CalChris 5 days ago | parent [-]

The test cost me $35.20 and I found out that I have sky high Lp(a), 218 nmol/L. I already take a statin and my cholesterol is well under control (LDL 83). But as has been pointed out, Lp(a) doesn't respond to statins. I'm getting a calcium score done (probably won't be covered but we'll see).

I'm prescribed a baby aspirin for the Lp(a). The AHA no longer recommends baby aspirin to the general population but 218 takes me out of the general population. The thinking is that Lp(a) clots and baby aspirin counteracts that.

	▲	LorenPechtel 5 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Yeah. I've got that evil gene. Presumably took out my uncle at 55. But I'm much more active and my heart still works properly.
	▲	5 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		[deleted]

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JeremyNT 5 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I've had high-ish LDL for ages and diet alone couldn't knock it all the way down.

It's only the CAC score that provided me with peace of mind that I didn't need to reach for statins.

The way I view this is that, if you can get more information, why wouldn't you? Cost of course, and I understand why insurance might not cover the procedure, but anybody of a certain age with any risk factors who is in a position to afford it benefits from doing so.

	▲	fivestones 5 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		The problem we’ve found is that when you get more information, you are more likely to find things that look off somewhere, which may have no real bearing on your actual health but definitely can cause you to have a worse quality of life—whether because of stress or subsequent more invasive tests or just the time and energy it costs you. This is why there are tests which previously were recommended to a wide range of people on a regular basis which are now only recommended in more limited settings. PSA is a good example of this. The question to ask is, is doing this test likely to improve my life, or not? And while you probably can’t know the answer for a specific test in your specific case without trying, you can often know the probability that it will improve your life based on statistical analysis of other people who have gotten that test and how it went for them.
	▲	31carmichael 4 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I have a CAC score of zero (no calcified plaque) and I take both a statin and ezetimibe to lower my LDL and ApoB. I disagree with your assessment that your CAC score along means that I statin wouldn't lower your risk.

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hombre_fatal 5 days ago | parent | prev [-]

No, CAC only tests for end stage calcified plaque which is how your body tries to transform soft plaque. It's soft plaque that first lines your arteries and is capable of rupturing. You might be infested with soft plaque, but if none of it has calcified yet (which can take decades) then you'll have a CAC score of zero.

Using CAC store to gauge risk is like waiting until you have end stage symptoms of any disease before you consider yourself at risk. The ship has already sailed and you should have instead focused on prevention for decades.

The sibling comment is a great example of the misinformation here. They have high cholesterol but a CAC score of zero gave them the peace of mind to not use statins.