Western Wisconsin Health is excited to announce that in honor of American Heart Month, we will be offering discounted Cardiac CT Calcium Scoring during the month of February. This will be a cash pay service of $300. Please note: there is an additional cost of $81 from St. Paul Radiology for reading the test.
Similar to a traditional x-ray, computed tomography (also known as a CT or CAT scan), produces multiple images of the inside of the body. Cardiac Scoring, also referred to as Heart Scan or Calcium Scoreis, is a non-invasive CT scan of the heart. It calculates your risk of developing heart disease by measuring the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.
A CT scan is able to take pictures of the heart in thin segments. CT images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels typically provide greater detail than traditional x-rays. These factors give us the opportunity for enhanced viewing options, even three-dimensional. We can view the images on a computer monitor, print them on film, or transfer them to a CD or DVD, if necessary.
Over time, plaque inside the arteries of your heart can grow and restrict or block the flow of blood to the muscles of the heart and fat and other substances can build-up under the inner layer of the artery. This material can calcify and lead to coronary artery disease (CAD). People with CAD have an increased risk for heart attacks.
Major risk factors for CAD include:
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Family history of heart attacks
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
CT Calcium Scoring can help us obtain information about the presence, location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. The measurement of calcified plaque may enable your provider to identify possible CAD before you have signs and symptoms. Your provider may order a heart scan to get a better understanding of your risk of heart disease or if there is uncertainty about a treatment plan. The outcome of the test may indicate the need for medication or lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of heart attack or other heart problems.
If you are interested in this service, please talk to your provider and request the procedure. To learn more, visit wwhealth.org or call 715-684-1395.
If you would like to learn more about how to take care of your heart, join us for a free Love Your Heart Event on Wednesday, February 7 from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. This is our 5th Annual Heart Health Event and will include heart healthy presentations from Dr. Ambareesh Bajpai, Dr. Clemma Nash and Emily Duch, PMHNP, mini massages from our integrative health providers, appetizers from the Eatery, and giveaways. Learn more and register online at wwhealth.org or call 715-684-1597.