Understanding the Calcium Heart Score

You may have heard about coronary artery calcium scoring from your doctor, a news article, or a friend who had one done. Perhaps you're considering the test yourself, or you've already had one and want to understand your results.
 
This booklet explains what the calcium score measures, how the test works, what your number means, and—importantly—what it doesn't tell you. A calcium score is a useful tool, but like any medical test, its value depends on understanding both its strengths and its limitations.
 
The goal isn't to make you an expert. It's to help you have a more informed conversation with your physician about whether this test makes sense for you and what to do with the results.