Five-Minute Heart Exam Gives True Picture

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Each year, the American Heart Association reports 250,000 people die of heart disease. While many had chest pains, some seemed like the "picture of health" on the outside. Now, doctors have found a way to see the true picture inside.

In five minutes, patients will know what the inside of their heart looks like.

"If there's calcified plaque, you can't miss it. It shows up and it's very distinct on the scan," radiological technician Delores Valari said.

This electron beam CT scans 10 times faster than other CT scans. It visually slices the body apart like a loaf of bread and shows things such as calcified plaque, revealed as little white specks.

Leslie Scott was scanned after his twin brother suffered a heart scare. Scott's scan showed plaque buildup.

"I was, I guess, a little bit astonished at the beginning," he said.

A low cholesterol diet, medication and a little exercise will keep him healthy.

"I feel energetic," Scott said. "I feel like I'm in good health."

Cardiologist Pradip Jamnadas said stress tests can only detect blockages when they reach 70 percent or 80 percent. These new CT scans can pick up any hard plaque.

"If you look to see which blockages in an artery go on to suddenly cause a heart attack, it is the ones that are between 40 and 70 percent," said Jamnadas, of Cardiovascular Interventions in Orlando.

There are about 100 of these scanners in the United States. Most are at independent outpatient centers and market directly to the consumer -- a reason many doctors question it.

"Had it just been introduced through regular medical facilities, under the auspices of medical clinics, I think this technology would have really picked up much faster," Jamnadas said.

Despite concerns, research shows the test can detect heart disease, lung tumors and colon polyps.

Heart scans cost about $500, while full body scans are around $1,000. Some insurance companies will cover the procedure if a patient has a referral from a physician.

If you would like more information, please contact:

BodyScan Imaging Center
866-BDY-SCAN
http://www.bodyscanimaging.com

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