A video with more information on Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett's HeartScan is also available.

It should go without saying that a healthy diet combined with exercise are important elements of cardiac health. But how can we be proactive in identifying possible cardiovascular problems before they become life threatening? The answer may be cardiac calcium scoring.

The presence of calcium in the coronary arteries can disrupt the supply of blood to the heart. This screening is used to detect coronary artery disease at an early stage when symptoms have yet to appear.

A cardiac CT scan is a painless procedure that takes just a few minutes to perform. During the test you will lying on your back while connected to an EKG that records the electrical activity of your heart. At the same time, a CT scanner will take pictures of the heart in thin sections.

A radiologist will then analyze the images and provide you with a report. The higher your score on cardiac calcium testing, the more plaque you have in the arteries of your heart which increases the likelihood of having a heart attack. If you are at risk, your physician will recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

This test is recommended for people with the following risk factors:
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco use
• High cholesterol
• Overweight/obesity
• Sedentary Lifestyle

A physician referral is not required for this test, although it should be noted that most insurance companies do not cover the cost of this procedure.

For more information and to schedule your HeartScan, call 820-7575.