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Facts about heart disease:
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58 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease
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Coronary heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United
States.
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More Americans die of heart disease than all types of cancer combined.
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At least 250,000 people a year die of a heart attack within one hour of the
onset of symptoms and before they reach a hospital.
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12 million people alive today have a history of heart attack, chest pain or
both.
Source: American Heart Association Back
to Top
What is your Heart CT?
Your Heart CT is a revolutionary, pain free, non-invasive
and inexpensive procedure that in 17 seconds can
screen you for calcium deposits in your
coronary arteries. Using CT imaging with multi-slice
capability, the scanner takes images of your coronary arteries.
The speed of the GE Lightspeed CT unit makes it possible to capture
cardiac images between beats. Cardiac scoring measures
the amount of calcium built up in
blood vessel walls.
This diagnostic procedure can help predict cardiovascular disease in
people with no symptoms. Cardiac scoring enables the
identification of individuals in the
early stages of coronary disease, who could benefit
the most from such therapies as drug treatment, diet
and exercise.
This screening may help to prevent heart attacks and/or detect the need
for more interventional treatment. Cardiac scoring
is an excellent screening tool for all
patients since all patients over 40, with or without "risk factors", are
at risk for heart attack. Back to
Top
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
The risk factors for heart disease include the following:
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High Blood Pressure
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Diabetes
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High Cholesterol
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Family history of heart disease
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History of smoking
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Sedentary lifestyle
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Overweight
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High stress lifestyle
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Men: over 40 years old
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Women: over 40 years old Back to Top
What causes heart disease?
The primary cause of heart disease is the build-up
of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries of
the heart. This build-up can cause the
arteries to narrow. Plaque can also break away from
the artery walls and cause a blockage. In both
instances the heart muscle does not receive enough
blood flow and oxygen- thus a heart attack can
occur.Back
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What does the procedure involve?
There is no preparation for your cardiac scoring
exam. You will be asked to refrain from caffeine
4 hours prior to your study. You will be asked
to complete a brief risk factor questionnaire.
Next, you will lie down on the imaging table while the
CT technologist places a few EKG leads on you.
The heart is imaged only during a particular
moment within the cardiac cycle. This almost eliminates the blurring
produced
by cardiac motion. You are then asked to hold
your breath while the images are taken.
That's it. You can return to your regular routine. The information acquired
during your CT scan is then processed with a cardiac
scoring package called
"Smart Score" that evaluates and quantifies the amount of calcium in your
coronary arteries. Back to Top
What can my cardiac score tell me?
Cardiac scoring can help you understand your level
of risk for heart disease. Subtle early warning
signs of heart disease can be detected. Calcified
plaque in coronary arteries can mean that you
may be developing coronary artery disease. Calcium
does not occur in normal coronary arteries. Calcium
deposits are a strong marker for the presence
of atherosclerosis, the lesions that cause narrowing of the coronary
arteries, and ultimately lead to heart attacks.
If there is calcium in the coronary arteries, you have atherosclerosis.
Further testing might then be indicated to measure
the extent of the disease, and to
decide on the best way to treat it.
A board certified radiologist, using high tech software called "Smart
Score"
calculates your cardiac score based on the images
taken. You will receive your results at the time
of your visit. The radiologist will sit down with
you and give you a virtual tour of your heart.
"Smart Score" gives you a score indicative of the amount of calcium
in the main arteries feeding your heart, from zero
to more than 1,000, in each artery.
Back to Top
Regardless of your score, always discuss your test results with your
doctor.
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If your score is 0:
Your probability of having significant coronary artery disease is minimal.
Share the results with your physician and discuss any lifestyle modification
for continued good health.
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If your score is positive but less than 100:
Cardiac scoring by "Smart Score" has detected calcified plaque in the arteries
of your heart which are unlikely to be causing a narrowing at this time. Along
with your physician, you should discuss cardiac risk factors and initiate
appropriate preventive measures.
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If your score is between 101 and 400:
Cardiac scoring by "Smart Score" has detected considerable amount of calcified
plaques in the arteries of your heart. While this is not a medical emergency,
there is an increased risk of heart attack. Your physician will determine what
additional tests may be best. Your doctor will place you on a treatment regimen
to modify your risk factors to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
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If your score is greater than 400:
Cardiac scoring by "Smart Score" has detected extensive calcified plaque in
your coronary arteries which may have critical narrowing. You are at increased
risk of heart attack. Based on your physician's recommendations you should
begin treatment immediately to reduce your risk of heart attack.
Back to Top
Is coronary artery disease treatable?
Yes, the plaque build-up process can be slowed, stabilized
and reversed, in some cases, through aggressive
lifestyle modifications and/or through medication
therapies under the guidance of your physician.
Back to Top
Does insurance cover this exam?
At this time, health insurance plans do not cover
this procedure. The cost for Cardiac Scoring is
$250.00, Cardiac Scoring including lungs is $425.00,
payable at the time of service. Many convenient payment
methods are available, including most major credit
cards and personal checks. Cardiac scoring is
a preventive screening procedure so a prescription
or referral from your doctor is not necessary.
You may call and schedule your appointment
for a time that is convenient for you.
How often have you heard: "if we had caught this sooner, the
outcome may have been different". Preventive imaging is a proactive approach
to better health.
A Smart Score heart scan is not a replacement for seeing your physician
or cardiologist. A preventative imaging scan should
always compliment your annual
physical. Back to Top
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