Calcium Scoring: A New Look at Your Heart

Dr. John Mahmarian
Medical Director
Nuclear Cardiology and
CT Services
Methodist DeBakey
Heart & Vascular Center

Many people are aware of the risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure, a family history of the disease and high cholesterol. However, a person may be unaware he or she has the disease because there can be no outward symptoms. In many cases, the first sign of heart disease is when a patient has a heart attack. This may all change with a relatively new procedure called calcium scoring. Calcium scoring is a quick and painless test that can help doctors identify heart disease.

What Is Calcium Scoring?
The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart, and over time plaque can build up in the arteries due to deposition of cholesterol and other inflammatory cells. The coronary artery lining may then become susceptible to rupture, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Calcium is laid down in plaques as a secondary process, and is therefore a good measure of the total extent of plaque in all of the coronary arteries. Calcium scoring allows doctors to see this calcium built up in the arteries by using a computed tomography scan, or CT scan. In this scan, calcium deposits appear white in the
X-ray, helping doctors identify if there is a problem. If little or no calcification is present in the X-ray, this suggests there is a low chance of developing heart disease in the next five years.

Please join us in promoting awareness of heart disease at "Day of Dance" sponsored by Spirit of Women and The Methodist Hospital, Saturday, Feb 28. Physician presentations, dance demonstrations, health screenings and other fun activities will be offered to participants. For more information, go to www.debakeyheartcenter.com or call 866-407-0287.

One benefit to this test is that it can detect heart disease in patients at much earlier stages than any other test currently available and before the patient is at risk for a heart attack. By identifying heart disease early, aggressive lifestyle and therapeutic measures can be started to prevent the development of more serious conditions in the future. "Men over the age of 40 and women over the age of 50 with at least one of the risk factors for heart disease would be good candidates for this test," says John Mahmarian, M.D., of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center. "If calcium is present, it helps me determine what course of treatment I should take with the patient. It is a serious wakeup call both to the patient
and myself."

Another benefit to calcium scoring is how easy the test can be to patients. "The patient can literally walk in from off the street and have the scan," says Dr. Mahmarian. "The test requires no preparation from patients and they can get their results the same day."

Patients are slowly moved through the white, donut-shaped scanner as X-ray pictures are taken of their heart and arteries. The whole scan takes about
10 minutes and is completely painless. There is no recovery time needed and patients can get on with their day.

Cutting-Edge Technology Close to Home
At the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, we understand how important it is to be on the cutting edge of new technology to identify this life-threatening disease. That is why Methodist has been conducting these tests for patients who may be at risk.

Although not currently covered by insurance, calcium scoring is a relatively inexpensive procedure that can make a big difference, according to Dr. Mahmarian. "If a patient wants to get tested, I recommend talking to his or her family physician," he says. "I've encouraged several of my patients to receive testing."

To find out more information or to make an appointment for calcium scoring, talk to your physician or contact the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center at 866-292-3347.