Sydney Scorpions

3 weeks ago

Heart attack and stroke are some of Australia’s biggest killers. The Heart Foundation works to prevent people from developing heart disease through awareness campaigns, resources and support programs.

A coronary artery calcium score is a measure of how much calcified plaque (calcium) is in the walls of your heart’s arteries (blood vessels). A build-up of plaque can cause these arteries to become narrow, reducing the amount of blood, oxygen and nutrients that reach your heart. In some cases, this plaque can break away and form a clot that blocks the arteries, causing a heart attack.

A coronary artery calcium score is measured using a non-invasive computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart. The CT scan shows how much calcium is in the walls of the heart’s blood vessels. The amount of calcium is reported on a number scale. Medical dye or contrast is not used in CT scans for measuring a coronary artery calcium score. In someone without previous symptoms or a diagnosis, coronary artery calcium scoring can indicate a person’s risk of heart attack. The result of the test is usually given as a number called an Agatston score. The score reflects the total area of calcium deposits and the density of the calcium.

- A score of zero means no calcium is seen in the heart. It suggests a low chance of developing a heart attack in the future.
- When calcium is present, the higher the score, the higher your risk of heart disease.
- A score of 100 to 300 means moderate plaque deposits. It's associated with a relatively high risk of a heart attack or other heart disease over the next three to five years.
- A score greater than 300 is a sign of very high to severe disease and heart attack risk.

You also may receive a percentile score, which indicates your amount of calcium compared to people of the same age and sex.

The result of a heart scan shouldn't be used as a single predictor of your overall health and risk of heart disease. The information from a heart scan should be combined with other health information.

You should consider a calcium scan if you are between ages 40-70 and at increased risk for heart disease but do not have symptoms. People at increased risk include those with the following traits:

- Family history of heart disease
- Past or present smoker
- History of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
- Overweight
- Inactive lifestyle
- Other non-traditional risk factors

If you are less than 40 years old and high cholesterol runs in your family (familial hypercholesterolemia), you might consider a calcium scan.

Very importantly, just because someone looks fit and is not overweight, does not exclude them from the risk of a heart attack. A heart scan may also help motivate people at moderate risk to make important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans.

Note: Because there are certain forms of coronary disease -- such as "soft plaque" atherosclerosis – that escape detection during this CT scan, it is important to remember that this test is not absolute in predicting your risk for a life-threatening event, such as a heart attack

More information via your GP and below:
www.heartfoundation.org.au/bundles/your-heart/medical-tests-coronary-artery-calcium-score? ... See MoreSee Less

Sydney Scorpions

3 weeks ago

Congratulations to all those recipients who received recognition at the recent 2021/22 NSWTA Awards, as NSWTA celebrated their Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary.

Region of the Year:
Sydney Scorpions

Regional Affiliate of the Year (Sydney Scorpions):
Hills & Manly Warringah

Affiliate of the Year:
Hills & Manly Warringah

Regional Administrator of the Year (Sydney Scorpions):
Katrina McIlwraith (Hills Hornets)

Administrator of the Year:
Katrina McIlwraith (Hills Hornets)

Social Media of the Year:
Hills Hornets

Rod Wise Medal:
Mary Watchman (Eastern Suburbs) & Katrina McIlwraith (Hills Hornets)

Blues Awards 2021/2022:
Adam Collins NSWTA / Sydney Scorpions
Caitlin Rogers Hills TA
Christian Browne Manly Warringah TA
Ella Keefe Northern Suburbs TA
Ruby Rath Northern Suburbs TA ... See MoreSee Less

SYDNEY SCORPIONS | 2021/22 NSWTA AWARDS

sydneyscorpions.com

Congratulations to all those recipients who received recognition at the recent 2021/22 NSWTA Awards, as NSWTA celebrated their Golden Jubilee 50th Anniversary.