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News - Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk Ohio USA |
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| Fisher-Titus Medical Center |
| Learn More about Calcium Scoring |
| Date : - 03/03/2009 |
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Fisher-Titus Medical Center now offers a high-tech screening to provide some advance notice of heart problems. This fast, painless and non-invasive screening – called CT Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring – uses FTMC’s 64-slice CT scanner to locate and measure calcified plaque in coronary arteries – the vessels that lead to the heart muscle.
Plaque is a build-up of fat and other substances, including calcium, which can, over time, narrow the arteries or even close off blood flow to the heart muscle. The result may be chest pain or a heart attack. By detecting it in the earliest, most treatable stage, patients and their physicians can take steps to reduce heart disease risk.
Because it is so fast, the CT is able to capture images during the heart beat cycle, providing clear pictures of the heart and its vessels and minimizing patients’ exposure to radiation.
CT Calcium Scoring should not be confused with CT Angiography. CT Angiography is a more elaborate test that provides detailed images of the coronary arteries. It is not a screening and the procedure must be ordered by a physician.
How do I know if I should have this screening?
According to the American Heart Association, Calcium Scoring tests are useful for individuals at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease, but not for people at low or high risk. Individuals with one or more of the following risk factors may be candidates for this screening procedure
* Family history of coronary artery disease
* Male over 45 years of age, female over 55 years of
age
* History of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood
pressure
* Past or present smoker
* Overweight
* Inactive lifestyle
Persons with one or more of these risk factors would then talk with a member of FTMC’s Heart & Vascular Center Team who will then review your medical history and complete the American Heart Association Heart Attack Risk Calculator. If you have the appropriate risk factors, you can be scheduled for a Calcium Scoring
How is Calcium Scoring done?
This test is performed by a radiologic technologist.You will be escorted to the CT scanner where you will change into a patient gown.You will lie on a special scanning table.The technologist will clean three small areas of your chest and place small, sticky electrode patches on these areas.The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph (ECG) machine, which monitors your heart’s electrical activity during the test.During the scan, you will feel the table move inside a donut-shaped scanner.The high-speed CT scan captures multiple images, synchronized with your heartbeat.The actual CT Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring scan takes only a few minutes.You will be able to dress and leave immediately after the exam
What does the score mean?
Basically, the score correlates with the risk of coronary artery (cardiovascular) disease. The higher your score, the more plaque you have in the arteries of your heart.
A higher score increases your chance of heart attack. Depending on your score, your physician can recommend appropriate treatment, including diet and lifestyle changes, medication, and/or further testing. The disease process may then be slowed, halted, or even possibly reversed.
Certain forms of coronary heart disease, such as those related to “soft plaque,” are not detected by CT, so it is important to remember that this test is not absolute in predicting risk for a life-threatening event such as a heart attack
Who will interpret the results and how will I get them?
The CT scan will be examined and reviewed by my associate, Dr. William Ferber, or me. We are both board-certified radiologists. A report will include your “calcium score” along with an assessment of your risk factors and lifestyle. A Registered Nurse on the FTMC Heart & Vascular Center Team will make an appointment with you to review the report. A copy of the report will be sent to your primary care physician if you request it, and you also will receive a copy of it.
What should I know about radiation exposure?
Because CT scanners use x-rays, patients may be concerned about exposure to radiation. Please be assured that the advanced technology of FTMC’s Aquilion 64 CT offers an optimal combination of low radiation exposure and very fast examination times while maintaining excellent image quality.
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, the amount of radiation you would be exposed to during Calcium Scoring is less than or equal to the amount of radiation you are naturally exposed to in a single year.
Of course, women should always inform their physician or radiologic technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant
What does the screening cost?
The cost of a Calcium Scoring at FTMC is $150. Payment (cash, check or major credit card) is requested at the time of the procedure and you will be given a receipt of your payment. If your insurance company covers this screening, you may use this receipt to file your claim. If you participate in a flexible spending account or health savings account, you may be able to obtain reimbursement for the cost of your screening.
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| Reference : - www.fisher-titus.com |
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