Heart Disease Risk Screening Now Offered at Archbold Mitchell

Coronary calcium screenings are an effective way to assess future risk of heart disease or heart attack. Using a relatively low radiation computed tomography (CT) scan, doctors can examine arteries to check for calcifications. This valuable screening is now offered conveniently at Archbold Mitchell in Camilla.

It is well known that calcium is good for your bones. But it can also say a lot about your heart health. Calcium, transported through the bloodstream, can build up, harden and disrupt your body’s normal processes. Calcifications can form in many parts of your body, including arteries and heart valves, and may be a sign of heart disease.

That’s why experts often recommend coronary calcium screening scans to look for calcium buildup in the heart arteries.

“Calcified plaque in the coronary arteries indicates a higher risk for heart attack and other cardiovascular events known to cause disability or death,” said Archbold Cardiologist Bob Miles, MD, FACC.

At Archbold Mitchell and Archbold Memorial in Thomasville, screenings are offered year-round at the reduced price of $75. A physician order is not required, but scans are performed by appointment only.

“A coronary calcium score is most helpful for patients without known coronary disease who might be at risk for a heart attack and who have not had a calcium score in the last five years,” said Miles. “Common factors that can increase a person’s risk for heart disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol. If you are at risk for heart disease, you should consider having a coronary calcium score to further define your actual risk. If your risk is significant, we have many effective ways to modify risk for dangerous heart events. Calcium scoring is the only true screening test for the deadliest disease in the world.”

To schedule an appointment, please visit www.archbold.org/calcium-scoring.