Risk of Heart Disease is Measured
Essentially there are two types of 'heart' screening available to you. The first is a "standard" heart scan that measures the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries to assess your risk of heart disease. This is a 22-second, painless CT scan of the heart that detects early coronary artery disease.
More specifically, it looks in the coronary arteries – the pipelines that supply blood to the heart – for the calcified plaque that can cause heart disease, and ultimately block the flow of oxygen-containing blood to the heart. This screen is the most advanced of its kind and is completely non-invasive. After the screen, we will then provide you with a specific rating of risk for future heart attack similar to the chart seen below.
Often this is casually referred to as your "Calcium Score" or by another more formal, "Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring”. Because calcium is a marker of Coronary Artery Disease (Heart Disease), the amount of calcium detected on a cardiac CT scan is a helpful prognostic tool.
More State of the Art for the Heart
Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) is an even more advanced heart scan that uses high speed state-of-the-art CT to generate detailed images of the coronary arteries. Unlike the "standard" heart scan or calcium scoring, this test shows areas of plaque that have not yet developed calcium and also reveals any narrowing of the coronary arteries. Contrast material, injected through a standard IV, enables superb visualization of the heart anatomy.
Why Test? An Overview of Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States, and is a major cause of death throughout the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 61 million people in the United States have heart disease. The American Heart Association reports that approximately 870,000 people died from the condition in 2004. Heart disease contributes to approximately 40% of all deaths.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths in women per year in the United States than the next six causes of death combined.
The term "heart disease" can be used to describe any disorder of the cardiovascular system (i.e., the heart and blood vessels) that affects the heart's ability to function normally. Heart disease is also called cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), and coronary artery disease (CAD).
Heart disease is a major cause for heart attack (myocardial infarction), congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, stroke, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and ischemia (reduced blood flow).
Detection to Prevention
Detection is valuable because guidelines for prevention can be implemented. With your doctor's guidance your individual guidelines, which are based on your individual cardiovascular health, can range from an emphasis on lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, physical activity, a heart-healthy diet, and/or weight control.
