One out of every three people with a heart attack dies without warning. The challenge has been to find additional methods to better predict who may be at risk for developing heart disease before symptoms occur. Meriter's Heart Scan Program allows people to better understand what their risks are for heart disease and how to take steps to reduce their risks.

The non-invasive scan is not intended to diagnose heart blockages, but detects calcium deposits (hard plaque) which are a marker for coronary artery disease and can predict the amount of plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. This information can help determine one's risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Knowing that a person is at risk for coronary artery disease allows for early, more aggressive preventive treatment. Heart scanning can help guide physicians in determining if medication, medical therapy or more complex testing is needed for their patients.

What steps are included in a heart scan?

You will receive your heart scan in Meriter Medical Imaging. After the scan, you will meet with a Heart Hospital nurse for a comprehensive cardiac risk assessment. She will:

• Take a finger stick blood cholesterol level
• Take your blood pressure
• Measure your body mass index
• Evaluate your personal and family health history
• Identify modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors
• Share information and resources to assist in lifestyle modification to reduce risk factors
• Explain how to evaluate your heart scan score
• Share recommendations for follow-up

A few days after your appointment, you will receive your heart scan results in the mail. These will have been reviewed by a cardiologist and radiologist.

How does a heart scan work?

A heart scan does not involve any needles or medications. A person simply lies on an exam table and has a few ECG electrode wires placed on his or her chest. The spiral CT scanner takes a rapid series of X-ray pictures of the heart while the person holds his or her breath for several seconds. For more information, read the Coronary Calcium Scan article in our Procedures section.

How can I determining if a heart scan is right for me?

The Heart Scan Program is not for everyone – the Coronary Calcium scan is recommended only for people who are thought to be at low to intermediate risk of developing heart disease or a heart attack but have no symptoms. Those people who have heart disease, or are known to be at high risk, should already be under a doctor's care for treatment and aggressive risk factor management.

If you are between the ages of 40 and 70 with at least one or more of the following risk factors, you may be eligible for the Heart Scan Program:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Family history of heart disease
• Smoker or exposed to secondhand smoke
• At least 20 pounds overweight
• Inactive lifestyle

However, if you have diabetes, or you have had a heart attack, heart surgery or angioplasty with stenting, heart rhythm problems, or any other type of cardiovascular disease – including peripheral vascular disease, carotid artery disease or stroke, or an aortic aneurysm – scanning is not useful for you.

How much does the program cost?

The heart scan, all screenings, and counseling session are included in the $350 cost of the program. At your appointment, you will be asked to pay for the program with a credit card, check or cash. Because this technology is new, your insurance may not cover the cost of the program.

How do I schedule a heart scan?

It is not necessary to have a referral from your physician to participate in the program. Talk with your physician, however, if you are unsure whether this program is appropriate for you.

Call the Meriter Heart Hospital at (608) 417-6259 if you have questions or to schedule an appointment.

6/23/2008