Baptist's Cardiac CT Scanning Looks for Signs of Heart Disease
This year, Baptist Cardiac CT has added another screening tool called Cardiac CT for $100 to help detect heart disease, allowing early prevention of a heart attack.
(PRWEB) July 2, 2007 -- Each year, approximately 1300 people are admitted to the Cardiac Observation Unit in the Emergency Room at Baptist Medical Center spending up to 24 hours waiting for tests to see if a heart attack is brewing or if it is something else.
However, Baptist Cardiovascular Services, a division of Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., has been offering the public a way to get a $25 heart screening since 1999 to help catch heart disease early. This year, Baptist added another screening tool called Cardiac CT for $100 to help detect heart disease, allowing early prevention of a heart attack.
"These tests can look for calcium in the arteries," explained Cardiologist Thomas Thompson, MD. "This is a sign of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup."
The science of screening for heart disease has advanced in recent years, thanks to computed tomography, also called CT scans. These tests can detect heart disease before it causes any symptoms. During a cardiac CT test, an X-ray takes cross-sectional images of the heart. Before a CT, you may be given a contrast material, or "dye," so doctors can see inside the arteries better. You'll need to lie down quietly in the CT scanner for about 10 minutes. At times, you'll be asked to hold your breath for 10 to 30 seconds. The test takes about 20 minutes.
"The CT scan can give a faster picture of clogged arteries and show the patient what's going on in their arteries," said Dr. Thompson.
If the CT finds calcium in your arteries, it could mean that you are at risk for having a heart attack or dying from heart problems. But if the CT scan does not find any calcium, this suggests you probably have minimal or no plaque in your arteries. This means you have a low risk for a heart attack.
"A cardiac CT scan is not for everybody," Dr. Thompson added. "If you have risk factors for heart disease such as a family history, abnormal blood pressure, obesity, abnormal cholesterol, and bad smoking habits, you could be a candidate for this. However, if you have already had a heart attack, coronary by-pass surgery or stent, you should talk to your physician before having the test done."
Although a CT scan is noninvasive, it does have some risks, including exposure to radiation. If a person doesn't know if they should get a cardiac CT scan, they should talk to their physician.
Listen to the Women's Health Inside Out podcast on calcium scoring for women at http://www.mbhs.org/podcasts/01pod_ep18_pt01.htm.
For more information, called the Baptist Health Line at 601-948-6262 or 1-800-948-6262 or visit http://www.mbhs.org/med_serv/heart/heart_screenings.htm.
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