T.J. Samson | Destination Health | February 2020

Heart care Your doctor has suggested a coronary cal- cium scan. But what is it exactly? And what are its pros and cons? Here’s some basic infor- mation you should know about the test. This scan is a type of rapid x-ray that takes cross-sectional pictures of the arteries that feed your heart. It can help measure the amount of cal- cified, or hardened, plaque you have in these blood vessels.The result is called your calcium score. The calcium in your arteries is different from the type found in your bones. Artery cal- cium is a marker of heart disease, which means your calcium score can give doctors a good idea of how much plaque is in your arteries Knowledge is power Sources: American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Body: breaking out in a cold sweat; fatigue or weakness Shoulders or arms: pain or discomfort in one or both Stomach: pain or discomfort; nausea; vomiting Back: pain or discomfort Neck or jaw: pain or discomfort Head: dizziness; light-headedness Lungs: short- ness of breath Chest: pain or discomfort Learn to spot symptoms of a heart attack You could have one or more of these: February is Heart Month. To schedule your coronary calcium scan, please call 270-651-1814 . Call 911 if you’re having symptoms of a heart attack. Coronary calcium scans An inside view of your heart make lifestyle changes to help protect your heart. A coronary calcium scan is painless, takes only about 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and doesn’t require contrast dye. But because it uses x-rays, you’re exposed to radiation—about the amount you’re naturally exposed to in a year. Sources: American College of Radiology; American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health before it causes problems. It can also predict your risk of a heart attack. A score of zero is normal. Usually, the higher your score, the more likely you are to have heart disease. WHY DOCTORS RECOMMEND IT This test isn’t for everybody. But your doctor may advise it if you have risk factors for heart disease—such as abnormal blood cholesterol levels or a family history of heart attacks—but you don’t have any symptoms of the disease. Your doctor can use the results of your scan to determine if you need to take medicine or February 2020 3