If you’re at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular health issues, your coronary calcium score should be monitored closely by a qualified heart doctor. To explain what your calcium score means and how to regulate it, the experts from DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, M.D., P.A., in Rochelle Park, NJ, offer the following guide.

Heart Doctors on Coronary Calcium Score

Keeping track of your coronary calcium score allows heart doctors to determine how much plaque has accumulated inside your heart valves. This plaque buildup is primarily composed of calcium deposits and cholesterol and can undermine your cardiac health if it isn’t addressed right away.

Physicians typically employ specialized X-rays and CT scans to determine the degree of calcium buildup inside your heart. If you have a high heart calcium score, they will suggest ways to lower it before you develop coronary artery disease.

How to Lower Calcium Buildup

Reducing calcium buildup is simple when you follow your doctor’s advice and maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Typically, heart doctors recommend high-risk patients completely eliminate processed foods from their diets and opt for freshly prepared, heart-healthy meals instead. Incorporating fish, fortified eggs, and nuts in your daily diet offers omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen your heart and protect it from damage.

For more effective results, your physician will also recommend a cardio exercise routine, like swimming, Vinyasa yoga, walking, or cycling. You should always talk to your doctor before trying a new exercise program to make sure it’s the right fitness level for you. 

With help from DiVagno Interventional Cardiology, M.D., P.A., you can improve your health with simple lifestyle changes, and, if further medical intervention is needed, the heart doctors will provide the appropriate care for your needs. For further information about their physicians and cardiac testing services, call (201) 845-3535 or visit their website. You can also connect with the Bergen County heart doctors on Facebook for more wellness tips.