According to the American Heart Association, heart attack or sudden death is the first symptom of heart disease for 48% of men and 63% of women. Furthermore, 70 million Americans with heart disease are completely unaware they have it. Even if you have no symptoms and you think you lead a healthy lifestyle, a heart attack may be heading for you. Yet cardiovascular disease can largely be prevented and predicted.
In 2007, St. Joseph introduced a screening tool for early detection of heart disease called HeartAware. The screening involves a free online test that can identify risk for heart disease. Participants found to be at significant risk are offered a low-cost, calcium score CT scan and follow-up.
How St. Joseph’s HeartAware program works to help prevent heart disease.
STEP 1: FAST, FREE, CONFIDENTIAL ONLINE EVALUATION
To receive your personalized report that details your risk profile and includes action steps to reduce your risk of cardiac disease.
STEP 2: CT SCAN AND CALCIUM SCORE
If your online evaluation shows you are at risk for cardiovascular disease, a St. Joseph Heart Institute staff coordinator will call you (with your permission) and encourage you to visit your physician, or offer you a more detailed screening test using a CT scan and calcium score. Calcium scoring measures calcium buildup on artery walls and is a highly reliable predictor of heart disease. To help as many people as possible have the CT scan screening, St. Joseph Medical Center offers it for a special reduced cost of $90.
Questions? Please call 410.337.1110 to learn more.