Do I need a Heart Scan? part 4

What happens if the calcium score is high?

Well, in theory it means that you have a risk of a heart attack. So one should start changing lifestyle, eat healthy, quit smoking, and reduce cholesterol. One should start to walk.

Can the machine be wrong?

Sure, like any machine, heart scan can create errors in interpretation. Sometimes the heart scan indicates you have calcium when there is in fact none. This is a false positive test and happens quite frequently. When a false positive test occurs, more studies are needed to confirm the results. This may involve undergoing a coronary angiography, more exposure to radiation, contrast dye and thus more expense.

On opposite side of the coin, if there is no calcium, then you just move on with your life as before without having to worry about a heart attack. However, one should be aware that coronary arteries can be very narrow or clogged up and yet not have calcium. In such a case, the heart scan may show there is no calcium but you may have serious blockage in your coronary vessels. This means the test is falsely negative. It shows you have no disease when you actually have disease.

Heart scan technology is still in infancy but is continuing to improve. Scientists are learning more about the role of calcium in heart disease and devising better machines.

In the meantime, one should not overlook the traditional risk factors that can increase your chance of developing heart disease. Moreover, remember that if you do have a heart scan, it is useful only if you actually follow up with your doctor and make lifestyle changes that can prevent worsening of heart disease

Final point

One of the reasons why medicine has become expensive is because of unscrupulous doctors offering unnecessary tests. There are hundreds of walk-in clinics and private health centers that offer quick scans which are nothing more than scams. These clinics falsely scare the public leading to unnecessary worries. These walk-in facilities rarely need any referrals. You just walk in, pay close to 1400 dollars, and you get your scan. The heart scans are not covered by medical insurance

As a consumer before you join the queue to get a heart scan, talk to your physician. Read about the procedure, get to understand your risk factors and ask yourself if the heart scan can make a difference in treatment. If you still decide to get a heart scan, make sure you go to a reputable center and get a copy of results sent to your physician.

Finally, if you do not have chest pain, shortness of breath and have no risks factors for heart disease, a heart scan is not recommended for you. If a physician still recommends a heart scan, you need a new doctor. The American College of Cardiology only recommends heart scans for individuals who have symptoms.