What’s your heart score?
Horizon Medical Center offers a simple ten-minute test that could save your life

February 19, 2010 - 85%of sudden heart attacks could be prevented if the conditions that lead to the attack are diagnosed early enough to prescribe treatment to correct the problem.
 
That’s why Horizon Medical Center is now offering Cardiac Scoring, a simple ten-minute test that detects heart disease in its earliest stages by identifying plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. “Calcification in the coronary arteries is the earliest indicator of heart disease,” says Horizon Medical Center Interventional Radiologist Joe MacCurdy, M.D. MacCurdy says Horizon’s new Cardiac Scoring test can detect calcium buildup by using a non-invasive, high-speed CT scanner to take 70-90 images of the heart and coronary arteries without any injections, needles or removal of clothing. Patients will then receive a “score” of the plaque buildup in their arteries and appropriate follow up care to prevent a heart attack from happening. 

MacCurdy says Cardiac Scoring is appropriate for people who have an increased risk for heart disease such as; high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart disease and smoking.  He says the screening will “score” the plaque buildup in the patient’s arteries.

A physician order is not required but a person must have a primary care physician to receive the results. The cost for the test is $69, payable at time of service. 

According to the American Heart Association, every 29 seconds, some in the U.S. suffers a heart attack and 45% of those occur under the age of 65.

To schedule a Cardiac Scoring Screening, call Horizon Medical Center at TriStar MedLine at (615) 342-1919.