Call (855) BUTKUSD (288-5873) to schedule this screening.

Recent findings have prompted the American Heart Association and leading researchers to recommend coronary calcium screening as a predictive tool for cardiovascular disease, since ruptured plaque causes 90 percent of all heart attacks. The EBCT Coronary Calcium Screening identifies the location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries of at-risk individuals. This 90-minute assessment is painless, and radiation exposure is minimal. No special preparation, injection or sedation is required.

Persons with moderate risk for heart disease stand to gain the most from this screening. Men and women over age 35 who have even one of the following risk factors are urged to be screened:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Smoking

To schedule a screening, please call 714-744-8523.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a serious health risk factor leading to stroke, heart attack and sudden death. Unfortunately, most people are not aware they are at risk until it’s too late. To help detect early warning signs of PAD, the St. Joseph Hospital Heart and Vascular Center offers a comprehensive screening which includes the following three components:

• Stroke / Carotid Artery Screening - A noninvasive test to look for plaques that can cause a stroke. The carotid artery is in your neck and is one of the main arteries that supplies blood to your brain. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country. More than half of all strokes in older Americans are due to carotid artery disease and there are proven treatments to reduce strokes in those cases.
• Abdominal Aortic Screening - A noninvasive test to look for an aneurysm. The abdominal aorta is the large artery that carries blood to the lower half of your body. An aneurysm is a weakened area of your aorta that has distended and could potentially rupture. This is the tenth leading cause of death in men over 50 in this country, but most people don’t know they have an aneurysm. An aneurysm can be permanently cured when it is diagnosed early, but rupture is fatal in most cases.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening - Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): a test to look for peripheral arterial disease. This is a measurement of blood flow at the ankle level to check for any blockages that may have developed in the arteries of your legs. PAD affects the health of millions of older Americans, at least a quarter of those over 70. People with PAD have a much higher risk of stroke and heart attack, but these risks can be reduced if PAD is diagnosed early.