Like busy traffic on the highway, the arteries going to and from your heart can get clogged with plaque buildup, making blood flow slow down – or even stop – resulting in a heart attack.
Luckily, you’re not driving blind. Just like your phone app shows you what traffic looks like ahead, medical technology is available at Liberty Hospital to show you how much plaque is built up in the arteries around your heart.
“Knowing I have a high risk of heart disease in my family, why wouldn’t I want to know what my risk of heart attack looks like as I get older?” said Stacey Box, who recently received a 10-minute test to calculate her risk of having a heart attack.
The test is a simple CT scan of the heart that shows plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries. This buildup can cause narrowing and increase the risk of a cardiac event. The test results reveal a calcium score of 0-500. Depending on your score, you may be referred to your primary care provider or a cardiologist.
“Getting this test every few years is a given for me, and it’s so easy that I don’t even have to undress or prepare for it in any way,” Box said. “My mother had heart disease and died of a stroke and heart attack at 62 and that increases my motivation to do what I can to stay healthy because I want to be around a long time to enjoy my family.”
The American Heart Association says the following are considered at-risk and should take preventive action: anyone over age 40 with a history of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure, current or former smoker.
Early diagnosis is key to preventing a heart attack, so detecting artery blockage and taking action can help keep heart disease from progressing.
Getting a calcium score screening at Liberty Hospital can be done without insurance or an appointment. The cost is $50 out-of-pocket and the test is administered at the hospital’s Radiology department. Call 816-792-7016 to schedule an appointment.
The American Heart Association recommends having a calcium score screening every four years. If you have any questions about your heart health, schedule a visit with your primary care physician.