My mother was in line at Walmart when she collapsed and was rushed to a nearby ER. It was years ago and she survived, but the diagnosis is a No. Now think of one of those four missing from the group. It kills one in four people every year. Prevention is part of the defense. In my family I not only have a history of heart disease but also diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. So I was an ideal candidate for a heart scan. And yes, I had the same reservations that many others have: Time, money, and results.
First about the time β I was concerned how much of my day would be taken up by the scan. Truth: I was in and out of the radiology room in 20 minutes. Next, about money β I thought it would cost more than actually advertised.
Lastly, about the results β I worried that I would wait weeks to learn the test results. Truth: The technician who administered the scan met me in the waiting room and gave me a copy of my results. A copy was also sent to my primary care physician and was made available on my IU Health portal. A follow-up copy was mailed to my home within 48 hours after it was reviewed by a radiologist. Four EKG stickers are attached to your left and right sides. You are asked to hold your breath for three sets of pictures.
The first two times you hold your breath two to three seconds, the third time you hold your breath about five to seven seconds. The pictures are timed to your heart rate so that the technician can get the clearest scans possible. She carefully explained two things to me: 1 She is looking for calcium build up in my arteries. Results mean different things to different ages. For instance, can mean mild plaque in the arteries and the patient may want to think about making some lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
A score of indicates a moderate build up of plaque and a score of and over can cause concern for a potential heart attack.
