Who should get cardiovascular preventative screening?

You should consider cardiovascular preventative screening if you are between ages 18-70 who are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors:

• Family history of heart disease

• Past or present smoker

• History of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure

• Overweight

• Inactive lifestyle

• Other non-traditional risk factors

If you are less than 18 years old and high cholesterol runs in your family (familial hypercholesterolemia), you might consider preventative cardiovascular screening as well.

Screening tests offered at West Michigan Cardiology:

• Carotid ultrasound

  • Noninvasive scan of the carotid arteries in the neck that provide blood to the brain. Narrowing of the carotid arteries with cholesterol plaque can lead to stroke

• Arrhythmia screening

  • Noninvasive measurement of your hearts electrical activity to assess for arrhythmias that can lead to stroke, heart attack, passing out, and even death

• Abdominal aneurysm screening

  • Noninvasive scan of the abdominal aorta (main artery providing blood flow to the abdomen and lower extremities from the heart) to assess for enlargement or aneurysm. Large aneurysm left untreated can lead to death.

• Peripheral vascular disease screening

  • Noninvasive measurement of blood flow in the lower extremities. Narrowing of the peripheral arteries with cholesterol plaque can lead to leg pain, poor healing wounds, infection, and amputation.

• Coronary calcium scoring

  • Noninvasive computerized tomography (CT) scan to detect calcium deposits in the coronary arteries of your heart. The higher the coronary calcium score predicts a higher rate of narrowing of the coronary arteries and a higher risk for future heart attack.

• Treadmill EKG stress test

  • Noninvasive test that assesses your cardiovascular fitness level and indicates if you have any evidece for narrowing in your heart arteries that limits the blood flow to your heart muscle. You must be able to walk on a treadmill for this test.

• Echocardiogram

  • Noninvasive test that uses ultrasound imaging to take 3-dimensional real time picture of your heart muscle and heart valves.

• Preventative Cardiology Visit

  • Meet with our nurse practioner or cardiologist who specialize in preventative cardiology for a 60 minute, one on one evaluation of your health history. You and one of our certified, preventative cardiovascular focused providers will work closely to identify any personal risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Discuss early detection and management of these risk factors, explore lifestyle modifications and possibly pharmalogical therapy to reduce your risk.

• Cardiovascular wellness packages

  • West Michigan Cardiology Exercise Wellness Program is a physician monitored nutrition and exercise program in our state-of-the-art cardiac rehab facility. The exercise program is tailored to your individual needs and abilities. This program also includes education sessions that focus on nutrition, exercise habits, and mind set. The Wellness Program is 3 days a week for one hour each session; Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. This is not billed through insurance. It is self-pay. $350 for the whole 6 week program and anyone can join.  
    

Click below to learn more about the preventative cardiovascular screening options available at West Michigan Cardiology

All results are for screening purposes only. It is the patients responsibility to consult with their primary care provider if any abnormal results are detected. Preventative cardiovascular screening is not covered by insurance and there are no reimbursable options. No insurance claims will be filed. Physician and prior authorization are not required. All payments are non refundable.