Coronary calcium score at Sacramento HeartScan is simplest, most accurate way to measure heart disease, track its progression and predict risk SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 5
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, more than 310,000
Americans die without even experiencing a symptom or indication of heart
disease, according to a 2008 report from the American Heart Association(1).
It's called sudden cardiac death (SCD), the same tragic fate that awaited Tim
Russert and shocked the nation when the news commentator died suddenly of a
heart attack in June.
"SCD victims don't feel any pain, they don't have time to get to a phone,
and they die at their desk or on the kitchen floor. Their first symptom is
their last; that's the cruel nature of heart disease," said Dennis R. Breen,
M.D., F.A.C.C., of Sacramento HeartScan.
Breen said Russert's death was a wake-up call for millions of baby boomers
and for the medical community as a whole. The hard reality is that half of all
men and 64 percent of women who died suddenly of coronary artery disease had
no previous symptoms of the disease(2).
Breen realizes there are no easy answers, and using the coronary calcium
score doesn't mean ignoring the standard risk factors. However, he's also
quick to point out that the coronary calcium score from a CT heart scan plays
an important role when trying to figure out a patient's risk of heart attack,
and it can help give people concerned about their risk of sudden cardiac death
a fighting chance.
"Our health care system today continues to rely on largely inadequate
technology -- including the traditional stress test -- that only shows danger
signs when the arteries are obstructed by 70 percent or more," said Breen. "A
successful cardiac stress test can actually give patients a false sense of
security. It doesn't mean you don't have heart disease, and it doesn't mean
you can't walk out of that test and weeks, days or even hours later, drop dead
from a heart attack."
Heart scans use computed tomography (CT) machines to non-invasively view
the arteries, searching for calcium buildup that indicates the metabolic and
inflammatory disease called atherosclerosis. The higher the score, the higher
the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Candidates for a heart scan are generally 40 years or older and may have
risk factors including high blood pressure, a history of smoking, obesity,
physical inactivity, a family history of heart disease and diabetes. Medicare
generally covers the cost of a heart scan for people over 65 with a
physician's referral. For people under 65 the cost is approximately $300 to
$400.
"A heart scan is the closest thing to a crystal ball we have in the 21st
century. It can predict the likelihood of future heart attacks," Breen added.
Sacramento HeartScan is one of a limited number of cardiovascular centers
in the U.S. using the GE Light Speed VCT scanner for the early detection of
heart disease, osteoporosis and certain cancers. For more information about
heart scans, contact Sacramento HeartScan at 916-830-2045 or visit
http://www.sacheart.com/ct/heartscan.html.
About Sacramento HeartScan
Sacramento HeartScan is part of the Sacramento Heart Center, the area's
premier integrated cardiac facility, providing complete cardiology and
wellness care plus a full range of diagnostic and laboratory services.
Sacramento HeartScan is one of a limited number of cardiovascular centers in
the United States using the Light Speed VCT 64-slice scanner for detection of
disease. Sacramento HeartScan purchased the 64-slice CT scanner, replacing the
16-slice CT scanner, which can uncover early stages of disorders such as:
heart disease, lung disease and certain cancers. Sacramento Heart & Vascular
Medical Associates, developers of the Sacramento Heart Center, is affiliated
with most health care systems in Sacramento. For more information or to make
an appointment, visit http://www.sacheart.com/ct/heartscan.html or call
916-830-2045.
(1) American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. 2008
Update.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3000090
(2) Ibid.
SOURCE Sacramento HeartScan
