Over 40? Why A Heart CT Scan Could Be A Lifesaver I Life Guard Imaging

A heart CT scan gives you a look into your future health. Using advanced CT technology, it can:

Detect calcium buildup in the coronary arteries, the first warning sign of plaque formation.
Provide a calcium score that quantifies the amount of plaque. A score of zero is best. Higher numbers signal greater risk for heart attack and coronary artery disease (CAD).

CT scans give you the hard data you and your doctor can use to make decisions that could literally save your life. Doesn’t that sound worth it?

Symptoms of heart disease often don’t appear until the disease has already progressed. By then, your options may be limited. A heart CT scan allows for:

Early Disease Detection:Catch plaque before it blocks your arteries or triggers a heart attack.
Better Risk Assessment:For people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, the calcium score paints a more accurate picture than genetics or blood tests alone.
Guided Treatment:If your score is elevated, your doctor may recommend statins, blood pressure control, or lifestyle changes tailored to your needs.

Simply put, a heart CT scan bridges the gap between feeling healthy and actually knowing if your heart is.

Not everyone needs a heart CT scan, but many people over 40 can gain valuable insight. You should consider one if:

You’re between 35 and 80 and fall into the intermediate-risk category for heart disease.
You have risk factors, including:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
A family history of heart disease
Smoking (current or past)
You’re not sure if cholesterol-lowering medication like statins are right for you and need more information to guide the decision.

If you’ve already had heart surgery or stent placement, a calcium score may not add much value. In that case, your doctor will recommend other monitoring tools.