FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Coronary heart disease is one of the most common heart problems for Americans.<\/p>\n
The CDC says more than 370,000 people died from the condition in 2022.<\/p>\n
“These arteries supply the blood flow to the heart muscle,” says Dr. Ankit Rathod with UCSF Fresno. When those arteries are clogged with plaque and they become so tight that the blood flow through that is compromised, we suffer a heart attack.”<\/p>\n
A simple scan can help protect your heart from future problems.<\/p>\n
It’s called a coronary calcium scan.<\/p>\n
“The importance of the scan is that it catches it at an early age, even when there are no symptoms at all,” Dr. Rathod said. “That is the idea, to know the disease prevalence before it is even identified, before any symptoms.”<\/p>\n
It’s a low-dose scan that takes no longer than five minutes.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rathod is the Interim Chief of Cardiology at USCF Fresno, as well as the Medical Director for Inspire Medical Health’s Cardiology Clinic.<\/p>\n
He showed a sample of what the scans would look like and how they can determine the plaque buildup in a person.<\/p>\n
“We’re able to pick up the spots where the plaque buildup has happened and calcified within the arteries of the heart,” he said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rathod explains that the plaque builds up as we grow older.<\/p>\n
Adults with risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes or a family history of heart problems can add to the plaque growth.<\/p>\n
“That’s why there’s a lot of emphasis, especially when it comes to patients in the intermediate risk group or low-risk group,” he said. “Those are the patients where you can make a lot of difference and add a decade or two to their lives.”<\/p>\n
Health experts urge people not to ignore the warning signs when it comes to their heart health.<\/p>\n
Doctors also recommend seeing your physician to see if you’re in need of a coronary calcium scan.<\/p>\n
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