"Calcium scoring is the most accurate way to detect plaque buildup in the heart arteries in advance of the onset of a cardiac event, and in some cases, prior to experiencing symptoms."
In the time it takes to hold a single breath, a physician can calculate
a patient's risk for a future heart attack.
Using a 64-slice Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, cardiologists are
able to obtain information about the presence, location and extent of
calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. This plaque results when there
is a build-up of fat and other substances under an artery's inner
layer, signaling the presence of atherosclerosis, also called coronary
artery disease (CAD). If left undetected, the plaque can build up and
narrow the blood vessel walls, which can lead to chest pain and even a
heart attack.
Diagnosis in a Heartbeat
Within minutes of completing the scan, a physician can determine the patient's
calcium score. The higher the calcium score, the more imminent the danger
of a heart attack. Patients who have scores over 400 are more likely to
develop heart disease symptoms within two to five years.
With a score of over 3,000, Tony of Pennington was unaware of the danger
that he was in. For a few weeks, he complained of mild chest discomfort
and pain in his left arm. He dismissed the pain at first, but decided
to visit the emergency department one evening after picking his wife up
from work. "I know of knew something was up, but I didn't want
to believe it," he admits.
Both Tony's EKG and nuclear stress test yielded normal results, but
Tony's cardiologist, Ronald Ryder, DO, knew to investigate further.
Dr. Ryder urged Tony to have a CT scan using the advanced technology of
the 64-slice scanner, which would provide a clear view of Tony's arteries
in minutes.
"Calcium scoring is the most accurate way to detect plaque buildup
in the heart arteries in advance of the onset of a cardiac event, and
in some cases, prior to experiencing symptoms," concludes Dr. Ryder.
"When we saw that his calcium score as over 3,000, we knew that we
had to act fast."
Technology Gives a Clear Picture
"Since the heart is an organ of constant movement, gathering precise images can be a challenge," he adds. Unlike traditional CT scans, a 64-slice CT scan can rapidly and clearly image the heart. It allows physicians to manipulate images to see inside the heart's vessels, capturing details that might be missed with EKG and other testing.
The damage was so significant to Tony's heart, he underwent double
bypass surgery. Shortly after his own diagnosis, Tony's wife, Anne,
suffered a major heart attack. As a result of some changes to their daily
habits, including modifying their diet and walking a few times a week,
the couple is back to enjoying retired life. "Before, we would eat
pasta and pizza," says Tony. "Now, we stay away from those things
and instead of eating canned soup that contains a lot of sodium, we make
our own fresh soup and eat more salads."
Tony knows that if he didn't have the scan, his story might have an
alternate ending. "If only my wife had the advantage of this test,
things may have been different for her," he reflects.