India, June 16 -- Among the various tests that help doctors determine an individual's cardiovascular health is the CT calcium score. According to Dr Sudhir Kumar, MD, DM, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, it is useful, but is often misinterpreted by patients.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, on June 15, Dr Kumar explained what the test actually does, when it should be done, and what its limitations are. According to him, a "normal" calcium score does not mean that a person does not have any heart disease. The reality is much more nuanced.

The CT calcium score test is a quick, non-invasive computed tomography (CT) scan that measures calcium deposits, or calcified plaque, in the coronary arteries.

"The higher the score, the g...