Heart attack and stroke account for more deaths and disabilities in the United States than all cancers combined. Many people who die of cardiac disease had no previous symptoms.

There are screening tools that are not new, but are now being used on a regular basis. For screening to detect plaque, the CAT scan for calcium score has been available for years and is more readily available for the detection of atherosclerosis on the outside walls of your heart. More recently, we are using the carotid IMT test. This is the measurement of the thickness of the intima and media layers of the common carotid artery. It can be predictive of future cardiac events such as heart attack and stroke. This painless noninvasive test is performed by ultrasound. There is no radiation involved. It is inexpensive and takes about ten minutes.

The carotid IMT test is very effective in predicting future cardiac and stroke events. It allows your doctor to determine your risk in a way that goes beyond the traditional risk factors. It can detect plaque in the carotid artery which correlates with plaque build up in other parts of your body. Further, it can provide information about stable or unstable plaque. 50 percent of those who died of heart attack and strokes had no previous symptoms.

Both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have recommended this type of testing for asymptomatic people over the age of 45, or younger if the patient has multiple risk factors such as family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

We now have the medications and recommendations to stabilize plaque build up so it does not break off and cause a heart attack or stroke. 50 percent of those dying from heart attack and stroke also had normal lipid panels. With this additional piece of information, your physician can be more aggressive in treatment prevention for atherosclerosis and a future event. There are preventive therapies that are good for everyone to practice, but even more important for those who might be on the path to what is ultimately a deadly disease.

As always, we must maintain a good diet low in fat, exercise, do not smoke, drink alcohol in moderation, and do as your physician recommends for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes and weight control. Remember, as we age, changes in your body can be a factor too, such as menopause for a woman, which doubles their risk for heart disease. At any stage of your life, getting a few simple and painless tests can tell you what you need to know about your heart health.

Toni Standley, RN
Cardiac Nurse Practitioner
Porter Adventist Hospital
www.porterhospital.org/heart
tonistandley@centura.org

Other helpful Web sites:
www.shapesociety.org/why_screening
www.cardiorisk.us/faq.htm