HEART DISEASE: are you at risk?
To learn whether you have the risk factors associated with heart disease, answer these few easy questions:
Men: Are you 45 or older?
Women: Are you 55 or older, or have you passed menopause?
Do you have a family history of heart disease?
Do you smoke, or are you exposed to second-hand smoke?
Have you ever been diagnosed with high cholesterol?
Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension?
Do you have an inactive lifestyle?
Do you consider yourself overweight?
If you answered YES to three or more questions, please read about our new Calcium Scoring exam, and how it may be beneficial to you.
Know the symptoms of heart attack?
Regardless of your test results, everyone should know the warning signals of a heart attack. If you feel any of these symptoms, see your doctor or visit the emergency room immediately:
• Uncomfortable chest pain, fullness, pressure or squeezing
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
• Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side
• Sudden confusion, or trouble with speaking, understanding, walking, balance or sight
• Sudden severe, unexplained headaches
How do I find out more?
Ask your physician for more information about cardiac health and tests like the Calcium Scoring exam, or to schedule an appointment.
HEART DISEASE: It's extremely common - and usually preventable
Are you - or someone you love - at risk of heart disease? Think about this:
1 out of 4 Americans has some form of heart disease.
More than 500,000 Americans will die of heart attacks this year.
Over half of those who die will have had no previous symptoms.
Now, here's the good news: 85% of heart disease can be halted or prevented, if the conditions that lead to heart attacks are diagnosed early enough.
Preventing coronary artery disease starts with awareness
Calcified plaque in the arteries is a risk factor that may lead to coronary artery disease (CAD). Many people call this "hardening of the arteries." As more plaque builds up, arteries get narrower - and the risk of a sudden heart attack can increase.
Now there's a new breakthrough, the Calcium Scoring exam, that allows us to visualize and quantify the amount of calcium plaque, if any, in the coronary arteries. It's performed with a CT scanner, so it's completely non-invasive and painless.
The calcium scoring exam typically takes less than 15 minutes. And in approximately 80% of all cases, if referred by a physician, the procedure is covered by health insurance. We're proud to be one of the first medical institutions in our area to offer this exam as part of our dedicated health care services to the community.
What you can expect during your calcium scoring exam
You won't have to do anything special to prepare for your Calcium Scoring exam. When you come for your exam, our technologist will ask you to lie on a comfortable table.
The technologist will then attach electrocardiogram (EKG) leads to your chest. The table will then be moved into the proper scanning position. Next, the technologist will initiate the scan. You'll be in constant visual and voice contact with the technologist throughout the procedure. As your CT scan proceeds, you may hear a quiet, fan-like sound and a beep each time a picture is taken.
You won't feel the scan at all: just relax and try to lie as still as possible. Our technologist will ask you to hold your breath to obtain the best images. Once you're finished, the technologist will help you get off the table. That's all there is to it.
What if the physician finds calcified plaque?
Visualization of calcified plaque may indicate a risk for coronary disease. But remember, 85% of all coronary artery disease can be halted or prevented if the conditions that lead to heart attacks are diagnosed and treated early enough. Your doctor will be able to recommend the right treatment plan for you.
What if the physician does not find calcified plaque?
You are probably at a lower risk for coronary artery disease. Early prevention is better than a cure. In consultation with your physician, you should be able to work to reduce your risk factors even further.
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