Atlantic, IA—Cass Health is excited to announce a new service: coronary calcium scoring tests. A buildup of calcium can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart. By knowing if there is a significant buildup of calcium in your arteries, your healthcare provider can better predict your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, or heart attack.

“The test itself is a simple CT scan of the heart and chest, and it gives us a glimpse into the amount of build-up within your arteries,” said Radiology Director Jess Sandbothe. “After the test, a radiologist will review your scan and the results will be sent to your healthcare provider. Patients who have MyChart can also see their results as soon as they are available.”

The results of a coronary calcium can are usually given as a number, or a score. The higher the number, the more calcium was detected, and higher scores correlate to a higher risk of heart disease. Generally, a score under 100 means a low chance of developing heart disease, 100 to 300 is a moderate amount of calcium was found and indicates a higher risk of heart disease, while a score greater than 300 is at the top end of extensive disease and the greatest risk of heart attack or stroke.

The test is generally recommended for men 40 and older and women 45 and older, although it is not helpful for all patients including those with diabetes. Your healthcare provider might recommend and order this test for you if you have any risk factors such as a family history of heart disease, if you use tobacco, have high cholesterol or blood pressure, are overweight, or have a sedentary lifestyle.

Patients who are interested in the test are encouraged to talk with their primary care provider about it. It is also important to know that most insurance companies do not cover the cost of this test; patients will be expected to pay a $75 testing fee when they check-in at Registration.