Calcium Scoring CT Screening

What is a calcium scoring CT screening?

This screening uses a CT scan to look for calcium deposits in the coronary arteries. The amount of calcified plaque found is expressed as a calcium score.

Excessive plaque and calcium can lead to a condition known as coronary artery disease. Your physician can use this information to evaluate your heart disease risk and recommend the most suitable risk reduction plan for you.

The screening is non-invasive and takes about 10-15 minutes. No special preparation is required before the scan.

Why is it important?

Coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the United States. Calcium scoring can detect the disease before symptoms such as chest pain develop. Early detection and treatment can help reduce the overall risk of a heart attack.

Is calcium scoring right for me?

Calcium scoring is most beneficial to men between the ages of 40-70
and women between the ages of 50-70 who have risk factors for heart disease (family history, abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes).

In some cases, screening at an earlier age may be recommended.

Healthy Arteries Vascular Screening

What is a vascular screening?

A vascular screening is an important tool to detect cardiovascular disease early in people who look or feel well.

Why get screened for vascular disease?

This screening helps you discover if you have certain conditions putting you at higher risk for stroke or heart disease. Risk factors such as family history, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes can damage the arteries in different parts of the body. When detected early, treatment and lifestyle modifications can lower your risk.

What tests are included?

• Carotid Artery Color Flow Ultrasound uses non-invasive ultrasound to detect plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck and identify blood-flow abnormalities.

• Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound is an ideal test for detecting an abdominal aortic aneurysm and estimating its size. Ultrasound screening visualizes the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in the body, and detects any enlargement.

• Ankle Brachial Index uses Doppler ultrasound to evaluate pressure and blood flow in leg arteries. A positive test indicates atherosclerotic plaque is slowing blood flow in the legs. The American Heart Association recommends this test to identify peripheral arterial disease, which indicates higher cardiovascular risk.