Innovative coronary calcium scan helps prevent heart attacks before they happen
Worried about your heart health?
Calcium plaque buildup in your arteries can cause heart attacks and other serious health complications. An innovative screening test can help doctors evaluate your plaque buildup and enable you to take preventive action.
The service is called a coronary calcium scan. It allows doctors to take a non-invasive look at the level of calcium plaque buildup in your coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. Buildup is a sign of coronary artery disease, a condition that weakens the heart over time and often leads to a heart attack.
Who should consider a coronary calcium scan?
“The coronary calcium scan is especially helpful for people at moderate risk of heart disease,” said M Health Fairview Preventive Cardiologist Prabhjot Nijjar, MD. “A common example is someone who’s healthy, middle-aged, and either has a mildly elevated cholesterol or a family history of heart disease. If a significant amount of calcium shows up on the scan, it can help us determine whether we start them on a treatment program.”
You should consider getting a coronary calcium scan if you’re between the ages of 40 and 70 and meet any of the following risk factors:
- You smoke OR you live/work with someone who smokes daily.
- You have a cholesterol level of 200 or higher.
- You have been told your blood pressure is high.
- You are 20 pounds or more overweight.
- You have diabetes.
- You have a family history of coronary artery disease.
As a preventive cardiologist, Nijjar focuses on addressing heart problems before they develop into serious complications – but the coronary calcium scan can also help prevent stroke.
“A stroke is caused by plaque buildup in the brain. Heart attacks are caused by plaque buildup in the heart,” said Nijjar. “If you have buildup in one place, it’s very likely that you have it in the other. This test can help patients take preventive action against stroke, as well.”
What should I expect during a coronary calcium scan?
Coronary calcium scans use computed tomography (CT). Recent advances have reduced the amount of radiation emitted to a very small amount that poses no risk to the patient. The scan itself only takes a few minutes, Nijjar said.
The scan is not typically covered by insurance, and costs $105 through M Health Fairview Heart Care.
“We hope to see better coverage for this test going forward,” said Nijjar. “It’s become a very significant tool for doctors in recent years and the hope is that its growing popularity will increase access.”
Where can I access a coronary calcium scan through M Health Fairview?
Coronary calcium scans are currently available at six M Health Fairview clinics throughout Minnesota:
- M Health Fairview Clinics and Surgery Center – Maple Grove
- M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming
- M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville
- M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina
- M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis
- M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury
Schedule a coronary calcium scan through M Health Fairview Heart Care.
What other steps can I take to help prevent a heart attack?
Nijjar’s efforts to prevent heart disease are by no means limited to technology. Lifestyle choices—including regular exercise, healthy nutrition, and no smoking—can all play a critical role in heart health.
High levels of chronic stress can also raise the risk of a heart attack. Because stress can be more difficult to manage than diet and exercise, Nijjar is currently conducting research into the effects of mindfulness meditation on maintaining heart health, and on recovery for those already suffering from coronary artery disease.
To assist patients, M Health Fairview care providers offer consultations with preventive cardiologists and dietitians specializing in heart-healthy diets. Patients also have access to mindfulness-based stress reduction courses, among other options.
A coronary calcium scan can be beneficial for preventive care, Nijjar said. Patients who are surprised to find that they’re at high risk may be more motivated to take charge of their heart health.
