Heart Disease UK

Most people who die from a heart attack had no previous symptoms. Knowing the physical condition of your heart could save your life. A quick and easy procedure, the Preventive Heart Scan tests men and women who may be at risk, even though they may be symptom-free. All you're required to do is hold your breath for about 30 seconds while the GE Light Speed CT scanner slides over your chest area as you're lying on your back, resting comfortably. You could be just a breath away from breathing easier about your heart health with this heart scan, which provides you and your physician with valuable information about the physical condition of your heart.
A PHS exam is an excellent tool for helping your doctor get the specific information needed to make a well-informed, accurate diagnosis, so he or she can provide you with the very best care. Your PHS exam will be a big comfort to your family, too. Since the scan is quick and easy, both you and your family -- as well as your doctor -- will get the answers you're looking for.

What's a cardiac score?
The CT images provide precise, high-resolution pictures of your heart's vessels. These images are evaluated to measure the calcium and plaque build-up that leads to heart disease. A board-certified radiologist reviews your test results and a cardiac score report is provided to you and your physician. Early warning signs of heart disease can assist your physician in recommending treatment or lifestyle changes that can slow, stabilize, or even reverse heart disease

The facts about computerized tomography (CT) and heart scans
• A computerized tomography (CT) scan is a valuable diagnostic medical tool combining X-rays and computer images.
• CT scans have been used successfully in diagnostic medicine for almost 30 years.
• CT scans are non-invasive, meaning that there is no penetration of the body, either by injection or incision.
• CT scans can be put together in a computer imaging program that shows a three-dimensional image of the heart for in-depth clinical evaluations.