Coronary Artery Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

For many people, the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. And, heart attacks can occur when there is as little as 30 to 50 percent narrowing of the arteries. Unlike standard stress tests that can't detect calcium deposits until the narrowing is at least 50 percent, a Heart Score gives you an inside view of your heart's health - giving you a personalized calcium score.

At a cost of $100, a Heart Score conducted at United Heart & Vascular Clinic is a simple, inexpensive way to get an inside view of your heart's health.

Heart Score

A heart score is a specific type of CT protocol that detects and measures the amount of calcium in your heart arteries and calculates a individual calcium score for you.

Who should have a Heart Score?

Anyone, age 35 to 79, with one or more of these risk factors for heart disease is encouraged to call for an appointment.

• Family history ?
• High cholesterol ?
• Smoking ?
• High blood pressure ?
• Obesity ?
• Physical inactivity ?
• Diabetes ?

Family history

Do you have a parent, sibling or other close blood relative who has been diagnosed with heart disease or heart attack?

Learn about heart disease risk factors in our heart health manual.

High cholesterol

Have you been told by your physician that your overall cholesterol level is high?

Learn about high cholestrol in our heart health manual.

Smoking

Do you now or have you ever smoked or used tobacco products?

Learn how tobacco use affects you in our heart health manual.

High blood pressure

Do you take high blood pressure medicine? Have you been told your blood pressure readings are high?

Learn about high blood pressure in our heart health manual.

Obesity

Are you 50 or more pounds overweight? Is your weight in line with your height?

Learn how weight affects your heart in our heart health manual.

Physical inactivity

Do you get regular, daily exercise?

Learn how lack of exercise affects you in our heart health manual.

Diabetes

Having diabetes puts you at an increased risk for heart problems because of the disease's effect on your blood vessels.

Learn more about diabetes in our heart health manual.

What to expect

A CT scan can detect heart disease in its earliest stages. Early detection means it's still possible to slow, stop or reverse heart disease.

CT / heart score

Coronary CT angiography uses a special type of CT scanner to get a three-dimensional view of your blood vessels. This allows doctors to see whether plaque has built up in the artery wall that may cause a future heart attack or symptoms.

United Heart & Vascular Clinic

Nasseff Specialty Center, 225 North Smith Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102

• Call 651-241-2750 to schedule a Heart Score.
• Appointments are available Monday through Fioday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Directions and parking: United Heart & Vascular Clinic is located in the Nasseff Specialty Center on the campus of United Hospital. Go to the first floor (street level) and check-in at the Imaging Department for your heart Scan.

Parking is available at a reduced rate in the flat lot (Lot H). The entrance to Lot H is on Chestnut Avenue. Your parking ticket must be validated by the UHVC receptionist to get the reduced rate, so please bring your parking ticket with you