The linked Mayo Clinic article on coronary artery calcium scoring is excellent. It refers to the American Heart Association's 'Simple 7' ways to be heart healthy. I have a high CAC score (1560) but do all seven heart healthy recommendations, so my lifestyle is highly likely to help counteract the deleterious effect of a high plaque burden. My cardiologist started me on a high-dose statin and a daily baby aspirin and told me to see him in a year. He said the problem with most of his patients is to get them to make healthy choices that reduce their cardiac risk. What works for me is to make small, conscious changes. Over time these seemingly unremarkable changes add up to big results. 'It's hard by the yard, but a cinch by the inch'