• 58 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease.
• Coronary heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States.
• More Americans die of heart disease, than all types of cancer combined.
• At least 250,000 people a year die of a heart attack within one hour of the onset of symptoms and before they reach a hospital.
• 12 million people alive today have a history of heart attack, chest pain or both.

Source: American Heart Association

The risk factors for heart disease include the following:

• Age (men 45 or older, women 55 or older)
• Family history of heart disease
• High cholesterol
• History of smoking
• High blood pressure
• High stress levels,
• History of smoking
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes

The primary cause of heart disease is the build-up of plaque (atherosclerosis) in the arteries of the heart. This build-up can cause the arteries to narrow. Plaque can also break away from the artery walls and cause a blockage. In both instances the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow and oxygen-thus a heart attack can occur.

Cardiac scoring is a revolutionary, pain-free, non-invasive and inexpensive procedure requiring less than 10 minutes. Using CT imaging with sub-second scanning capability, the equipment takes 70-90 images of your coronary arteries without any injections, needles or removal of your clothing. The amount of calcium or plaque detected in your coronary arteries is used to establish your cardiac score.

First, you complete a brief risk factor questionnaire. Next, you lie down on the imaging table while a CT technologist places a few EKG leads on you. You are then asked to hold your breath while the images are taken. That's it. You can return to your regular routine.

A board certified radiologist, using high tech software, calculates your cardiac score based on the images taken.

The radiation exposure during cardiac scoring is very minimal (comparable to the radiation received during a chest x-ray). No intravenous injections or needles are required.

Not only is it safe, but it is also simple. In most cases (unless there are certain types of buttons or bra metal involved),, patients may keep their shirt or blouse on during the procedure.

Subtle early warning signs of heart disease can be detected. Cardiac scoring is the latest diagnostic tool to detect plaque in the coronary arteries. With this information, your doctor can recommend the appropriate treatment, including diet and lifestyle changes, medication and/or further testing.

Yes, the plaque build-up process can be slowed, stabilized and reversed, in some cases, through aggressive lifestyle modification and/or through medication therapies under the guidance of your physician.