|
What is coronary artery disease? Coronary artery disease is a narrowing of the coronary
arteries usually caused by a buildup of "calcified" plaque on
the walls of the arteries. This plaque is an early warning for heart disease.
Coronary heart disease is Americas No. 1 killer.
Unfortunately half of all heart attacks occur in people
who are healthy and without symptoms. Many of these people die of their
heart attack. Early detection of heart disease is the best defense against
it.
Yes. There are no injections and no need for dye. The
patient receives only a minimal amount of radiation during the test, similar
to a couple of x-rays. The EBCT scanner is "open" so there is
no worry about claustrophobia. The EBT technology used in the HeartCam
has been approved for use by the FDA.
If you are male between 30 and 70 or female between
40 and 80, you may benefit from this diagnostic scan. Just consult the
risk factors {<link to <risk factors>} and call to request an
appointment. Additionally, your physician may refer you to HeartCam for
a variety of diagnostic reasons. Patients with a history of heart attack,
angioplasty or bypass surgery should not have the test unless a physician
has referred them and is monitoring their care. Young adults are typically
not recommended to undergo the scan unless there is a family history of
heart disease or the young person already has a history of risk factors.
We recommend you repeat the HeartCam diagnostic scan
annually because coronary calcification, the leading indicator of coronary
artery disease, advances at the rate of about 25 percent a year.
The absence of coronary calcification very strongly
suggests that plaque is minimal and risk is very low. However, the HeartCam
is an important new diagnostic tool, but it is not a definitive test for
every kind of cardiac problem. If you began to exhibit symptoms of cardiac
problems, despite a favorable HeartCam reading, be sure to seek medical
attention.
A treadmill stress test, or thallium stress test can only determine if your arteries are 70 percent blocked or greater. Thus, the stress test only reflects advanced stages of coronary artery disease. In contrast, the HeartCam detects coronary plaque at a much earlier stage, leading to preventive measures before symptoms or a heart attack develops.
|