Why Can’t an MRI Be Used for Calcium Scoring?
Since the CT scanner emits radiation, why isn’t MRI technology used to determine one’s calcium score?
After all, there is zero emission of radiation from an MRI procedure.
Furthermore, many people would much prefer lying inside the famed MRI “tube” than being exposed to the radiation from a CT scan.
The CT scan is what’s used for measuring the calcium score.
Magnetic resonance imaging is known to be more sensitive than CT scan for the detection of certain conditions.
MRI is a highly sensitive procedure, able to pick up or discern certain findings with more sensitivity than will an ultrasound or mammogram.
An example is an MRI detecting a malignant breast tumor that was “missed” on an ultrasound as well as mammogram.
But calcium scoring is a whole new animal.
“MRI cannot be used for calcium screening because MRI is relatively insensitive for detection of calcification,” says Resham Mendi, MD, a renowned expert in the field of medical imaging, and the medical director of Bright Light Medical Imaging.
Dr. Mendi adds, “CT is far more sensitive. MRI would be an ineffective test to look for calcific plaque in the coronary arteries.”
This will come as a surprise to anyone who knows that magnetic resonance imaging provides a very high degree of sensitivity.
Nevertheless, this high sensitivity does not apply to calcified plaque inside coronary arteries.
CT Scan, not MRI, Is Your Only Option
If you’re interested in determining your calcium score, you’ll need to undergo a CT scan specifically designed for this purpose.
This scan provides valuable information about the amount of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries, which can be an indicator of coronary artery disease (CAD).
However, there are certain individuals for whom this scan is not recommended.
For instance, a woman who is pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid undergoing a coronary calcium scan. The radiation may pose risks to a developing fetus.
Additionally, a coronary calcium scan is not usually recommended for people at low risk for CAD.
This is because the primary benefit of the scan is to assess risk in people who may have symptoms or risk factors suggesting potential coronary artery disease.
Many healthy individuals who are at low risk for CAD are undergoing CAC scoring due to increased awareness and interest in heart health.
However, for these low-risk individuals, the results may not provide additional actionable information that would change their management or treatment significantly.
The scan is more useful for those who have risk factors, such as a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
If you’re healthy, fit and at low risk for coronary heart disease, you should discuss the practicality of calcium scoring with a cardiologist.
Dr. Mendi has published several articles in radiology journals and has expertise in MRI, women’s imaging, musculoskeletal, neurological and body imaging.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Natalie Board
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Does Having PVC’s when Relaxed Mean a Serious Heart Problem?
You’re just sitting there relaxed before the TV, computer or reading a magazine when suddenly you get a run of PVCs.
Can a healthy heart have premature ventricular contractions at rest?
You know what these are: that unexpected extra heartbeat, or perhaps the sensation feels like a skipped beat — a scary pause in between the beats.
This may even happen for several beats in a row.
“Just about everyone has PVCs sometimes – even hundreds of PVCs per day can be normal,” says Daniel P. Morin, MD, FACC, formerly Director of both Electrophysiology Research and Cardiovascular Research for Ochsner Health System, and currently Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at University of California, San Francisco.
“PVCs can range from harmless to dangerous,” continues Dr. Morin.
“If there are few PVCs, even if they’re symptomatic, most often they’re just a nuisance.”
The symptoms would be one or more of the following.
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
“If there are more – often, many thousand per day – there can be consequences, including causing weakening of the heart’s squeezing function over time, which may be reversible with appropriate treatment,” says Dr. Morin.
When the heart’s squeezing function is weakened, this is called heart failure. The heart fails to squeeze or contract optimally.
The result is reduced blood flow throughout the body. Over time this can impair kidney and liver function because these organs are highly vascular and are sensitive to reductions in blood flow.
People with chronic heart failure may not even know they have renal insufficiency or cardiac liver disease unless they undergo testing, such the creatinine test for kidney function.
There are various causes of chronic heart failure, and untreated premature ventricular contractions is one of them.
Premature ventricular contractions are early heartbeats originating in the ventricles, and when frequent or sustained, they can disrupt normal cardiac rhythm and function.
Over time, a high burden of PVCs — especially more than 10% of total heartbeats — can lead to PVC-induced cardiomyopathy, a reversible form of heart failure.
The constant irregular contractions strain the heart, reducing its pumping efficiency and triggering structural changes.
Early detection and treatment of frequent PVCs through medication, lifestyle changes or catheter ablation can significantly reduce the risk of progression to CHF.
When the PVCs are appropriately treated, then the heart hopefully can recover, regain its normal shape and thus eventually regain an optimal squeezing with each beat.
If any “fluttering” you feel in your chest seems to be occurring way too frequently, it’s time to see a cardiologist.
Dr. Morin’s clinical interests are in device therapy for cardiac dysfunction (including cardiac resynchronization therapy) and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias with medical therapy and/or catheter ablation.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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