HeartSaver CT Brochure - Carondelet.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQ. What Is It Like Getting A HeartSaver CT?Q. What is HeartSaver CT?A. HeartSaver CT is a breakthrough technology that canuncover coronary artery disease at its earliest stagesalmost instantly. It works by providing images of thecoronary arteries and the calcium that has developedwithin them. Calcium deposits are a significant clueto the presence of atherosclerosis, the leading causeof coronary artery disease. While traditional riskfactortests suggest a probability of atherosclerosis,they cannot determine whether the disease is, in fact,present. Thus, HeartSaver CT is a good additionto traditional methods of coronary artery diseaserisk assessment.A. Getting a HeartSaver CT is painless, non-invasive(meaning no needles) and takes very little time.The scan itself can be completed in less than sevenminutes. Because the scanner is open-faced, there is no“claustrophobic” experience. EKG wires are attachedto the patient, who is then asked to lie on a paddedtable that moves slowly through the scanner. At onepoint, the patient is asked to briefly hold his or herbreath while the scanner takes images. The HeartSaverCT technologist talks to the patient throughout theprocedure, explaining everything as it happens.The risk with HeartSaver CT isvirtually non-existent. The X-raydose for each study is equivalent toa series of abdominal X-rays.Q. What Makes This Different FromTraditional Tests?A. Traditional risk-factor tests do not always predictcoronary artery disease. For example, it’s been shownthat a significant number of patients with elevatedcholesterol levels will never develop a coronary event.Yet, at the same time, many with normal cholesterollevels do develop significant disease. Because atreadmill test will detect only major flow-obstructinglesions, it is not appropriate for preventative testing orfor screening patients who do not have symptoms.Q. Is A Physician’s Prescription RequiredTo Get A HeartSaver CT?A. Yes, you must receive a prescription from your PrimaryCare Physician or Cardiologist.Q. Are There Any Special Pre-testQ.Instructions?A. There are no special pre-test instructions. You may eator drink normally prior to the scan. Women may bemore comfortable wearing slacks or a skirt and blouseto make it easier to place EKG leads.