Most people never see it coming. Over 785,000 Americans had a first-time heart attack last year, and in McLean County, heart disease is the leading killer.
A simple heart scan can save your life and help you better understand your risk for a heart attack. A heart CT scan is a low-cost, non-invasive, painless test designed to show the buildup of calcium in the arteries around your heart.
“Through this imagery, doctors are able to determine where, and how much, calcium is deposited in the arteries,” said Mike Mueller, Director of Cardiovascular Services at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. “That information is scored, ranging from zero, which is normal, to several hundred, which can indicate a heart attack risk.”
Calcium deposits indicate plaque, which can reduce or cut off the flow of blood and oxygen. The test is also called a Coronary Calcium Screening, which cardiologists may recommend if your cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure are high. Your diet, level of exercise, and family history are other factors which indicate a high risk of heart disease.
Advocate also offers an online heart risk tool at iHeartAdvocate.com. It takes about five minutes, and if it indicates you’re a high risk, you can see a cardiologist within 24 hours.
According to the American Heart Association, almost half of all heart-related deaths occur in people with no previous history of heart disease symptoms. A heart scan can lead to early detection of heart disease and identify those who need treatment.
