(February  12, 2006 – Bartlett, Tenn.)  Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett is offering HeartScan to the public at a cost of $99.  This imaging technology can help provide early detection of heart disease and allow the patient to seek appropriate treatment before surgery or medication may be necessary.
       HeartScan is a form of the familiar CT (or CAT) scan.   The noninvasive procedure detects calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.  High calcium content could indicate coronary artery disease and increased risk for heart disease.
       “On average, every 33 seconds someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease,” said Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett Radiology Manager Rhonda Willcox.  “HeartScan allows patients to be proactive in identifying possible cardiovascular problems before they become life threatening.”
       The scan requires no preparation such as fasting or injections.  The CT will take a series of images of the heart in thin sections allowing the detection of calcium in the coronary arteries. The buildup of calcium is then converted into a cardiac calcium score.  The score will help to assess a patient’s risk of heart disease.  Based on the patient’s score, his or her physician will be able to advise the patient if any future action is needed.
       For more information, please contact Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett at (901) 820-7575.

       Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, part of Tenet Tennessee, is a 90-bed full-service community hospital in Bartlett, Tenn.  The hospital, located at 2986 Kate Bond Road, opened on June 1, 2004 and is the first full-service medical center in its community.  Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett features a wide range of medical and health care services, including emergency care, an intensive care unit, a family birthing center, cardiology, oncology and diabetes care.  The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, visit www.saintfrancisbartlett.com.
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