A relatively low-cost test available at hospitals in northeast Wisconsin could potentially save you from a future heart attack. Coronary calcium scans offer a non-invasive way to find potential signs of heart disease before it becomes an issue. The scans look for calcium build up around the heart, which is an indicator of bad cholesterol and other factors in the blood causing plaque to build up inside the arteries. Dr. Donnevan Blake from Bellin Health Cardiology Associates says men over 30 and women over 40 can benefit from getting a calcium score.
Blake says the higher the calcium score the more likely it is you could have heart disease in the future depending on your age, with a score of 300 or above a sign of a very severe risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.