There are several different factors that can put you at risk for cardiovascular disease, some more within your control than others. If you have risk factors that you can’t control, you have even more reason to make every effort to control those that you can.
Those who are at higher risk for developing coronary artery disease may benefit from cardiac calcium scoring. This procedure begins with a CT scan of the heart taken to assess the extent of calcium buildup in coronary arteries. This information then is used to assign each patient a cardiac calcium score, which corresponds to a heart attack risk level, from very low to high. With a more concrete understanding of their personal heart attack risk, many patients find greater inspiration to take appropriate steps to bring it under better control.
There is plenty you can do to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease! The Centers for Disease Control and other health organizations recommend “knowing your ABCS”:
In addition to these basic recommendations, the American Heart Association provides more detailed tips for reducing your risk, including
Heart attack, cardiac arrest, and stroke are all potential consequences of cardiovascular disease. One way you can help to reduce deaths from these events is to know how to recognize them and respond appropriately.
Cardiac arrest is an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes it to suddenly stop working properly. The victim soon becomes unresponsive and breathes only in gasps or not at all. In the event of cardiac arrest, it’s critical that CPR or defibrillation be administered within the first few minutes. Call 9-1-1 immediately, and begin CPR (they can walk you through it if necessary). If an Automated External Defibrillator is available, use it as soon as possible.
A heart attack is caused by blockage of blood flow to the heart. Symptoms can vary and come on much more gradually than those of cardiac arrest, sometimes days or even weeks before heart attack occurs. Common symptoms are often confused with other ailments and include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, and back, neck, or jaw pain. Women may experience symptoms differently than men. Read this article for specific information on heart attacks in women.
Stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted as a result of a blocked artery or (less frequently) hemorrhage. While stroke risk increases with age, it can strike at any age, including during childhood. Because prompt treatment is critical to full recovery, it’s important to be able to quickly recognize and respond to symptoms. The American Heart Association uses the acronym FAST to help people remember the warning signs of stroke and what to do:
Iowa Radiology offers CT cardiac calcium scoring at our Clive and downtown Des Moines clinics. Click here to contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment!
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Infographics courtesy of the American Heart Association http://honor.americanheart.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WRD_Resources