Dr. Keith Roach is a physician at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital. He writes an educational column on infectious diseases, public health and sports medicine. DEAR DR.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 58-year-old woman. My coronary artery calcium score was 69. Can this be treated? I learned that people with a high calcium score will likely have cancer. -- N.W. ANSWER: The ...

Memorial Hermann-Katy doctor Khilan Pindoria says he tries taking good care of his health because his father passed away suddenly when he was just a teenager. His father was only 52 years old. Now, as ...

Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 80-year-old male who's very physically active. Six years ago, I had a coronary calcium scan resulting in a score of 3,708 with no symptoms. A few days later, a thallium ...

When it comes to protecting your heart, preventative testing is key. Keeping track of important metrics like blood pressure and cholesterol can help you understand your risk of cardiovascular disease.

An imaging test called coronary calcium scoring can help doctors to make the right recommendation about the use of statin therapy. The test is a 10-minute CT (computed tomography) scan looking for ...

Dear Dr. Roach: A friend suggested I get a cardiac calcium score test to measure the amount of plaque in my heart. What is your opinion of this test? He said since plaque is 20% calcium, the test just ...

Dear Dr. Roach: I am 74 and in good health except for osteoporosis. I’m 5 foot, 3 inches tall and weigh 106 pounds, and have followed a plant-based diet for eight years. I take no medications, walk ...

Dear Dr. Roach: You mentioned checking a calcium score to help determine risk of having a heart attack. Please explain what that is. Thank you. — J.S. Dear J.S.: A coronary artery calcium score is a ...

Your doctor tells you that you need a statin to lower your cholesterol and reduce your heart attack risk. You don't like taking medicine and your friend tells you that he had achy muscles after he ...

Dear Dr. Roach: I am an 80-year-old male who's very physically active. Six years ago, I had a coronary calcium scan resulting in a score of 3,708 with no symptoms. A few days later, a thallium ...