How to Read a Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score

What is a CAC test, and how can you read your CAC score? Find out in this quick video.
In this video, we’re going to talk about how to read your coronary artery calcium (CAC) score.

Timestamps
0:00 Introduction: How to read a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score
1:25 What your CAC test results mean
2:04 What to do if you have bad CAC test results
3:10 Share your success story!

A CAC test will tell you the amount of calcium plaquing that is in your arteries.

When the inside of blood vessels becomes injured or inflamed, your body repairs the damage with calcium and cholesterol.

Your risk of heart attack is increased if you have high calcium in your arteries.

90% of men and 67% of women over the age of 70 have some amount of calcium in their arteries.

Consuming a high amount of carbohydrates is the primary cause of artery damage—it causes a large amount of irritation and inflammation.

Your CAC score can go from 0 to over 1000. Ideally, you want your score to be 0.

The CAC test is one of the best predictors of mortality from all causes.

Here’s how you can read your CAC score:

Score: 0
• Plaque: none
• Probability of heart disease: very low

Score: 1-10
• Plaque: minimal
• Probability of heart disease: low

Score: 11-100
• Plaque: mild atherosclerosis
• Probability of heart disease: minimal

Score: 101-400
• Plaque: moderate atherosclerosis
• Probability of heart disease: moderate

Score: 400+
• Plaque: extensive atherosclerosis
• Probability of heart disease: high

What can you do if you have unfavorable CAC test results? Try…
• Healthy Keto
• Intermittent fasting
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Tocotrienols
• Vitamin K2
• EDTA

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 57, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle

Thanks for watching. I hope this helped explain how to read a coronary artery calcium score. I’ll see you in the next video.

[fidelcatsro]

Low carb
Fasting
B3
Tocotrienols
Vitamin K2
EDTA

Thank you Dr Berg!!

[andreac.]

My dad died of a heart attack at age 49. I am 47 now and I had my CAC score done 2 years ago because I realized I was approaching the age of his death. I got a big fat "0". My dad was a smoker all his life and a trucker at the time of his death. I eat whole foods and am moderately active. Just wanted to make sure I was on the right track with my habits.

[arnahw]

Thanks for mentioning that your score was 0, and you're in your 50's. That's very encouraging. Age does not equal bad health.

[eddieyen]

I am a 44 year-old male, and I, too got a CAC score of 0 after four years of low-carb diet. My cholesterol levels are "off the chart" by current standards, with total cholesterol of 280 and LDL-c of 210. It is reassuring to know that high cholesterol does not necessarily build plaque in the arteries.

[rexswank]

At 63 years old, my CAC score is 0. What a relief it is.

[chrisgraves]

Took the test and score was 664. 51 year old active male with family history of heart disease and diabetes. Not so sure about taking a statin. Will definitely be changing my diet and lifestyle.

[k.d.collins]

Thank You Dr. Berg: I took the test. My score was 0! Thank You for making me aware of this test.

[beebob]

I see my cardiologist today after having a calcium score completed. I had three zeros and one 74. I'll look into your program and discuss it with my cardiologist this afternoon.

[magma]

I cannot stress the importance of PROLONGED FASTING! A weekly 36- 72 hr fast is incredibly powerful. 👌

[therealhellkitty]

This test was the only one I’ve ever been thrilled to score a zero on.

[TeamJesse]

Thank you Dr. Berg, I am trying to understand the CAC score to help my husband, his score is 60. Thank you for the information to help bring his score down. I also took the test in November 2020, my score was zero, however, there was an incidental finding of a small thymoma. If I had not gone for the test the thymoma would’ve grown without my knowing.
Thank you for all the information we are both trying to be good keto students!

[jamesbell]

Just got one, still waiting on the score, but it took 5 min and cost me $85. Not bad at all. Thanks for this video, it was helpful for when I get my results.

[pgsibilo]

Thank you Dr. Berg for all the FREE Health Advice. May God Bless Your Soul ❤️❤️❤️

[annettefowler]

First one i did in 2018 score was 0, did one today 2nd of october 2023 score is 0, thanks to all the knowlege you give us, Thank you so much my DR Berg. i am 69 years old and i feel 20.❤

[R.R.Brahma]

I have been on a keto diet with intermittent fasting for 3 years.
I do weight traning 3 days a week and HIIT 3 days a week.
I take K2(mk7), megnissium every day.
Now my calcium score is 1860.

[CarbageMan]

I'd never seen numbers other than zero characterized before, so that's somewhat helpful (having scored a 2 around 18 months ago, and having been diagnosed diabetic.) What I do know, however, is that you don't really need to get this test done more often than every couple years. I'm planning another next summer.

[TorqueMonsterAWD]

Keto/carnivore periodic fasting for 7 years. 350 total cholesterol, 245 ldl, CAC score 34. Strong family history of CVD.

[cutepandabear]

Thank you Dr. Berg! I learned something quite useful from you today. I will do the research and get my family and myself tested soon!

[Jimsranch]

67y, CAC 470, - two stents, Repatha and Plavix- I'll keep you posted!

[sladyalways]

I love Step One bars. My cholesterol numbers came down quite a bit after eating these every day for the past three months.