When it comes to heart health, early detection can save lives. Coronary artery disease creeps in silently and is the leading cause of heart attacks in the US. But, do you know what the good thing is? CAD is detectable and curable when identified early, and knowing what tests are available for early, safe detection is crucial.
Whether you are experiencing symptoms or just want to be concerned because of your family history, getting tested for CAD is your early line of defence. At ViaScan, we specialize in noninvasive imaging techniques to help you catch the disease early, before the symptoms start haunting you. Let’s explore the tests for coronary artery disease, why early testing is important, and how CAD is tested.
What is coronary artery disease?
CAD occurs when blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are blocked with plaque buildup. This calcium deposition will completely or partially block the coronary arteries, reducing the supply of blood, ultimately leading to chest pain and heart attacks.
Coronary artery disease doesn’t come with full-blown symptoms. Therefore, early screening or a coronary CT scan can help you identify the extent of blockages, especially if you fall into the following categories:
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Overweight or obese
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
The crucial part is that you may not even experience the symptoms until it’s too late. Therefore, getting tested early when you can will allow you to make early medical interventions.
How is coronary artery disease tested?
There are several ways to detect CAD, but the modern and safe way is noninvasive coronary CT scans, which are leading the way.
Coronary Calcium Scan
This quick and noninvasive scan uses an advanced CT scanner to measure the amount of calcium deposited in the walls of arteries. The calcium score indicates the level of risk your heart faces and helps identify early signs of plaque buildup. Coronary calcium scans can also be used for those who smoke or do not exhibit heart disease symptoms to determine their risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Blood Tests
Blood testing can measure cholesterol and blood sugar. A high-sensitivity test for C-reactive protein (CRP) detects a protein associated with inflammation in the arteries.
Electrocardiogram
This brief test examines the heart’s electrical activity. It displays the heart’s rhythm. Electrodes are sticky patches that adhere to the chest and occasionally the arms and legs. The electrodes are connected via wires to a computer, which prints or shows the test findings. If you have had or are experiencing a heart attack, the ECG signal patterns can reveal it.
Nuclear Stress Test
Stress tests examine your heart while it is beating rapidly and working at a high rate. Your doctor may prescribe medication to temporarily increase your heart’s workload if you have a medical condition that keeps you from exercising. Your healthcare professional will use an ECG or another imaging test to look for insufficient blood flow to your heart muscle. As you exercise, an ECG will track the electrical activity of your heart.
Heart CT scan
This CT scan of the heart will identify and show blockages in the arteries, as well as detect the extent of calcium deposition. Arteries might constrict due to calcium deposits. During the scan, dye is occasionally administered intravenously. This dye will flow through the arteries, allowing your doctor to clearly visualise the blood flow and take detailed images of the carotid arteries. This scan is known as a CT coronary angiography if dye is utilized.
A safer way to diagnose coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease comes with no warning signs. Therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden chest pain
- Palpitations
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness after minimal work
Don’t delay a heart CT scan. But what is the risk-free and safest way to detect coronary artery disease? A quick and noninvasive coronary CT scan at Viascan. We specialize in low-dose CT scans to provide you with an accurate diagnosis within a few minutes.
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Conclusion
Knowing how CAD is detected and what options you have will put you in control. Early screenings and timely detection allow you to make early lifestyle changes for a healthy future. Even if your arteries begin to narrow due to blockage, you might not feel a thing. Therefore, early detection is crucial for identifying CAD and assessing early symptoms. Viascan offers a range of imaging services, including heart CT scans and coronary calcium scans, to provide a clear picture and insight into your heart health, allowing you to prevent complications.