Cardiac SmartScore

Overview

Coronary arteries carry blood to the heart. When you're young, these arteries are smooth and blood flows freely. But, as years pass, the arteries become lined with deposits of cholesterol and other organic materials that accumulate as plaque - a condition known as arteriosclerosis.

This plaque is deadly. It damages the cells of the coronary arteries, and its buildup can restrict blood flow to the heart. But what makes plaque such a killer is its tendency to rupture and break loose from the lining of the arteries. When this happens, a clot can form that will block the supply of blood to the heart, resulting in a heart attack.

Heart attacks continue to be the number one killer in the United States.

Every 20 seconds someone has a heart attack, and every minute someone dies from one. Remarkably, about one third of the people who arrive at an emergency room with a heart attack have has NO chest pain or similar warning. It just happened.

Now there’s an early detection test at Elkhart general called Cardiac SmartScore that an help predict the likelihood of having a heart attack by measuring the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, the most likely cause of a heart attack.

Not only can Cardiac SmartScore identify a potentially deadly heart condition, it can be a life-saving warning signal for people who may be otherwise healthy but are in the very early state of plaque buildup. When the condition is caught early enough, modest adjustments in diet and lifestyle often can be enough to effectively deal with the problem.

The Advantage of the Unique SmartScore Test

There are many types of heart tests. EKG. Stress echocardiogram. Intravascular ultrasound. Each of these tests can play an important role in evaluating your heart's health. But none of these tests can accurately detect the silent presence of deadly plaque. Even angiography that looks for constriction in the vessels may not reveal the presence of plaque. That's because as plaque accumulates, the arteries actually expand to compensate for the buildup, resulting in little change to the opening of the vessel. Although the angiograph may look fine, a heart attack could happen at any time.

Of all heart tests, Cardiac SmartScore is the most accurate non-invasive method of determining the presence of deadly plaque.

Test Procedure

Cardiac SmartScore (also called coronary artery calcium scoring) is a type of CT scan that detects areas of hardening (calcification or plaque) in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Normally, the coronary arteries do not contain plaque. Plaque deposits in the coronary arteries indicate the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Cardiac calcium scoring is used to diagnose CAD in an early stage and to determine its severity.

During the Cardiac SmartScore, you simply lie on a table, fully clothed and hold your breath for a few seconds while the CT images are taken. These images are analyzed by a computer to produce a detailed picture of a “slice” of the heart. Each x-ray pulse lasts only a fraction of a second, and it takes only a few seconds for the machine to record each slice. A CT scan provides clearer pictures of internal organs than regular x-rays. Information from a CT scan can be saved and stored on a computer for further study. Photographs of selected views can also be made.

Who Should Have a Cardiac SmartScore Exam?

A Cardiac SmartScore exam can be a life-saver for men over 35 and women over 45 who are at higher than normal risk of heart attack.

Risk factors include:

• A family history of heart disease or stroke .
• Smoking
• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• High stress
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle

Test Results

Typically the Cardiac SmartScore results are available within 24 hours, although in complicated cases special computer analysis may take somewhat longer. The radiologist will report the findings to your physician, who in turn will discuss them with you.

Schedule a Cardiac SmartScore Exam Today

A Cardiac SmartScore exam can usually be scheduled within two or three days of your call. Some health plans will cover the cost if prescribed by your physician. The costs is $199. To schedule an exam, call the Elkhart General Patient Scheduling Department at (574) 523-3444.