Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title CAC score: To test or not to test? Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet NewsGP Media type Web Country/Territory Australia Date 30/08/23 Description Measuring how much calcium is in the walls of a heart’s blood vessels is ‘not free of problems’, and may contribute to overtreating...
For the large group of people who are at low risk of CVD, they have ‘little or nothing to gain’ from CAC score testing, according to Professor of General Practice Mark Morgan, who is Chair of the RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care (REC–QC) and First Do No Harm Expert Steering Group.
‘In my practice I see people who have heard of the CAC score and think that it might be a good idea,’ he told newsGP.
‘Afterall, they say, if there is a test available why would you not do it just to be on the safe side?’
Ruling out patients with no CVD symptoms, as well as those who are already known to be at high risk of or have established CVD, there is a small group remaining who may benefit from the test.
‘That really leaves just an intermediate risk group where it is difficult to know whether to recommend lifestyle plus preventive medication, and where the results of CAC score will influence the patient’s decision,’ Professor Morgan said.
The latest released topic in the RACGP’s First do no harm: A guide to choosing wisely is the GP and accompanying patient resource, ‘Coronary artery calcium scoring in asymptomatic people’, which outlines the ‘traffic light system’ of recommendations for GPs in managing requests for a CAC score.
Producer/Author Morgan Liotta URL https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/cac-score-to-test-or-not-to-test?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email Persons Mark Morgan