| The Heart Saver CT screening for heart disease (also | | | | atherosclerosis. However, any score higher than zero |
| known as the UltraFast CT or Calcium Scoring CT) | | | | means that you do have heart disease. Many people |
| has been available for about 10 years now. This study | | | | do not understand this fact. Even though you have not |
| looks for calcified plaque in the arteries of the heart. | | | | had a heart attack, yet, an elevated calcium score |
| Plaque, put simply, is the fatty, waxy type of | | | | means that someday you just might. Calcium score |
| substance produced by the liver that proceeds | | | | can range into the thousands of an unsuspecting |
| throughout the bloodstream. You may also hear or | | | | victim. This person would be the epitome of a ticking |
| read this referred to as cholesterol. Frequently, plaque | | | | time bomb. The type of person you hear someone |
| will adhere itself to the walls of arteries and over time | | | | telling about, "He was out mowing the yard and just |
| solidify. Then, it becomes known as calcified plaque. | | | | dropped dead." A score like that in itself makes this |
| The Heart Saver CT looks specifically at the arteries | | | | test a must do for anyone over the age of 45 with no |
| of the heart searching for calcified plaque. | | | | known history of heart disease. Lives are saved |
| It is a reasonable test for those with the desire to | | | | because of it, but that is part of the good news. |
| satisfy their curiosity regarding the probability of future | | | | Now for the bad news: Another thing many do not |
| heart disease. The test takes about a half an hour and | | | | realize is while some insurance companies will not |
| there are no needles or preparation involved. This | | | | cover this test, they will consider it for future coverage |
| study is NOT for someone with known heart disease. | | | | and premiums. Again, any score higher than zero |
| Since its purpose is to be a predictor of future disease, | | | | equals heart disease. Insurance companies do |
| it would be a waste of money to do the test if you | | | | acknowledge this much, at least. It is important to keep |
| already know you have heart disease. The Heart | | | | in mind even if you are outwardly in apparent good |
| Saver CT is an excellent tool when used properly. | | | | health a calcium score of any number other than zero |
| In many instances, this study is done when a person is | | | | will damage your prospects for life insurance and |
| over the age of 35 and more likely over the age of | | | | reasonable insurance premiums. People are denied life |
| 40. The cost can range from $100 to $300 and some | | | | insurance based solely on their calcium score with no |
| insurance companies will cover this test. However, be | | | | other apparent health issues. While this is a good test |
| prepared to pay out of pocket even if your insurance | | | | as a predictor of future heart disease it comes with a |
| company will cover and then seek reimbursement. | | | | potential price that you will not be informed of until it |
| Many facilities that offer this study will not file your | | | | happens so be prepared. |
| insurance for this particular test. The reason for lack of | | | | If you decide to have a Heart Saver CT scan done |
| coverage is some insurance companies still consider | | | | and your score is higher than zero there is nothing that |
| this test experimental. If you have a family history of | | | | can be done to get rid of it. It did not happen overnight |
| heart disease and / or high cholesterol then you should | | | | and it will not go away. Then the priority becomes to |
| consider this test. | | | | slow the momentum of plaque buildup by combating |
| There is potential good and bad news about your | | | | your cholesterol and optimizing those numbers. Often |
| results. If your calcium scoring result is zero, then | | | | with proper treatment, the progression of disease can |
| congratulations. Zero is the perfect score meaning | | | | be significantly reduced. Medical technology today can |
| there is no indication of calcified plaque in the arteries | | | | slow the progression, but it cannot turn back the hands |
| of your heart. You do not have heart disease from | | | | of time, yet. |