What is a
Coronary Artery Calcium Scan?
What is a
Coronary Artery Calcium Scan?
Do you know
YOUR SCORE?
If you don't, you're not alone! Many of us have never heard of the heart scan or understand its effectiveness in detecting heart disease at its earliest stages.
Ask your health care provider if it's right for you.
Why should you consider it?
The answer is really quite simple. It's the same reason we get a mammogram or a colonoscopy. The sooner we know that we have heart disease, the sooner we can take steps to slow down the progression of the disease and prevent a cardiac event.
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More than 60% of women and half of all men who die suffer a heart attack did not report symptoms ... this is why we refer to heart disease as the "silent killer." More than 1.5 million American women and men have a heart attack each year, We lose over 600,000 loved ones to a largely preventable disease yet most of us don't even know we have it until it's too late. Studies show that through early diagnosis, treatment and intervention about half of those victims could have been saved.
How to get the heart scan.
In most areas, a physician's order is required to schedule a Coronary Artery Calcium Scan. It is important to note that the heart scan is not typically covered by insurance and costs between $75-250, depending upon the market. The screening is usually available through imaging centers, cardiologist offices and hospitals.
While there are walk-in heart scan clinics, make sure you verify that your results will be reviewed and provided to you for follow-up.
If your health care provider refers you to a hospital or imaging center, make sure you ask about a cash price for the heart scan. While Medicare Part B may cover the heart scans in some states, please note that if your supplemental insurance does not cover it, you will be left with the 20% copay which could include outpatient fees from the hospital as well. You will want to clarify this before scheduling your scan.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Depending upon your calcium score and assessment, your physician may recommend diagnostic testing to confirm your risk for heart attack or stroke. Around 60% of calcium scans result in detection of issues not related to heart health. Diagnostic testings, intervention services or treatment therapies are not included with the Coronary Artery Calcium Scans.
Collaborative CAC Providers
The mission of The Heart2Heart Foundation is to inspire women and their loved ones to take action that prevents heart attack, stroke and premature death. Through our collaborative partnership health care providers, we help women and men learn their risk for heart disease and how to win the fight against our #1 killer. In our goal to reduce the number of heart attacks and premature deaths, we are working with CAC providers to make the heart scan more accessible and affordable.
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If you don't know your risk factors for heart disease, click here to find free or low-cost basic screenings!
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Still have
QUESTIONS?
Feel free to contact us but, please note, that we will not respond to questions regarding your specific cardiovascular issues. This website is for information and education purposes only and any medical questions need to be directed to your health care provider. If you are experiencing heart attack symptoms, call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance!