Heart and Vascular Screenings

Cardiac Calcium Scoring

This test uses a CT scan to allows your doctor to detect early blockage and plaque build-up and calculate your risk of a heart attack. The scan measures the amount of calcium that has built up in your coronary arteries. Results are a number score from zero to 400 or greater. The lower the score, the less calcium, and risk of a heart attack in the next several years:

0 Very low risk

1-99 Low

100-399 Moderate

400 or greater High

Because the test does involve a modest amount of radiation exposure, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend only people at risk have the screening.

You're considered at risk if you're a man aged 40 and over or a woman aged 50 and over with one or more additional risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoker
• High cholesterol
• BMI > 30
• Family health history of premature cardiovascular heart disease (before age 55 in males and before age 65 in females)

You don't have to prepare or change medication before the test, and you can resume all normal activities immediately afterward. The test is $50.

Vascular Screening

This 30-minute, non-invasive vascular screening uses ultrasound technology and is performed in an accredited vascular laboratory. Results are available the same day and are sent to your provider.

The screening includes three tests:

• Carotid Ultrasound
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Scan
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)

You should be screened if you're over age 55 or if you're age 40 and have multiple risk factors, including:

• Family history of heart disease or stroke
• History of smoking
• High blood pressure
• Overweight
• High stress levels
• Inactive lifestyle
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes

A vascular screening is $50 and doesn't require a physician referral.