CORONARY CALCIUM SCORING

Have you ever heard of Coronary Calcium Scoring? Personally, I had not or had never paid attention, if I had. A few years ago, during a routine exam with my cardiologist, he suggested that due to my heart disease family history, a heart attack at a young age, high cholesterol, etc, I have this scoring test. At the time and probably still, insurance did not cover this $100 test. I told my doctor, I would skip the test. My daughter, who was with me, told him to schedule it and she would pay. We argued and I ended up having the test. It's a good thing I did. My test showed significant artery plaque, he started me on a new medication. I had a check up with him last week. He told me the medications are working and my 'bad' cholesterol number has dropped.

Below are some heart health facts you should consider:

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in developed countries.
• Each year, over 1.5 million heart attacks occur in the United States.
• Annually, heart attacks account for over 500,000 deaths in the United States.
• The progression of atherosclerotic heart disease can be halted or potentially reversed when found early.