A MORE ADVANCED APPROACH TO HEART DISEASE DETECTION
Coronary Artery Calcium vs Coronary CT Angiography with Plaque Analysis
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and many people have no symptoms until a serious cardiac event occurs. Early detection is critical, but not all heart screening tests provide the same level of insight.
At CardioNow, we’ve transitioned away from standalone coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring in favor of a more advanced diagnostic tool: Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) with plaque analysis.
Why? Because modern cardiovascular imaging can now reveal far more than calcium alone, helping identify heart disease earlier, more accurately, and more proactively.
Core Differences at a Glance
FEATURES
Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC)
Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) with Plaque Analysis
Primary Purpose
Measures calcified plaque in coronary arteries
Provides a comprehensive evaluation of coronary artery disease
Type of Imaging
Non-contrast CT scan
Advanced CT scan with IV contrast
Detects Calcified Plaque
Yes
Yes
Detects Soft (Non-Calcified) Plaque
No
Yes
Shows Early-Stage Plaque
No
Yes
Evaluates Artery Narrowing or Blockages
No
Yes
Visualizes Coronary Artery Anatomy
No
Yes
Identifies High-Risk/Vulnerable Plaque
No
Yes
Helps Guide Personalized Treatment
Limited
Extensive
Ability to Track Disease Progression
Limited
Yes
Overall Diagnostic Detail
Basic
Advanced and comprehensive
Clinical Advantage
Quick estimate of calcified plaque burden
Earlier detection and more accurate evaluation of coronary artery disease
CardioNow Recommendation
Not offered due to its inability to detect non-calcified plaque and its consequent limitations in prognostic accuracy.
CAC SCORING
VS
CCTA WITH PLAQUE ANALYSIS
NOT RECOMMENDED
Not offered due to its inability to detect non-calcified plaque and its consequent limitations in prognostic accuracy.
RECOMMENDED
In its place, we offer CCTA with Plaque Analysis, which provides a more comprehensive, advanced quantification of calcified, non-calcified, and low-attenuation plaque, stenosis severity and total plaque burden.
Why CardioNow Recommends CCTA Scans
While calcium scoring helped estimate risk, modern CCTA with plaque analysis delivers:
- Earlier disease detection
- More comprehensive imaging
- Greater diagnostic accuracy
- Better risk stratification
- More personalized treatment planning
Most importantly, it allows us to identify coronary artery disease before it becomes a life-threatening event.
A More Proactive Approach to Heart Health
Heart disease often develops silently over many years. Waiting until symptoms occur may mean disease has already progressed significantly. The reality is that a heart attack at the age of 65 starts to develop in your 40s.
CCTA with plaque analysis offers a more complete understanding of coronary artery health helping identify risk earlier, personalize treatment, and support proactive prevention.
At CardioOne, we believe advanced imaging should do more than provide a number. It should provide clarity, confidence, and actionable insight into your cardiovascular health.
