EBCT detects heart disease at its earliest stage
Southwest Heart • Southwest Preventive Imaging
Heart disease is the number one killer of American men and women and a leading cause of serious disability. Starting silently, its first symptom is often a heart attack. Fortunately, with early detection, many heart attacks can be avoided.
Advanced technology recently introduced in Tucson at Southwest Heart detects heart disease in its very earliest stage, when it has the best chance of being controlled. Electron Beam Computed Tomography (EBCT) is the newest and most accurate technology available for discovering hidden heart disease.
By calculating a patient’s calcium score, EBCT provides essential information that can be used to help the patient prevent — or even reverse — heart disease.
A measure of calcium build-up (atherosclerosis) in the arteries, the calcium score is more accurate than a stress test in determining a patient’s risk for a heart attack. In fact, a person can have a negative stress test on a treadmill and still have significant calcium build-up. A patient can also have significant calcium build-up and no other symptoms of heart disease and still be at high risk for a heart attack.
A noninvasive test that takes only 15 minutes to perform, EBCT is significantly more accurate than mechanical CT scanning. In addition to heart disease, EBCT is also an excel-lent screening tool for lung cancer and colon cancer, using low-dose lung scanning and virtual colonography, respectively.
EECP:A RISK-FREE, NONINVASIVE TREATMENT FOR ANGINA PECTORIS
If you suffer from crippling chest pain caused by angina pectoris, you should know about EECP® therapy. Enhanced External Counterpulsation is a risk-free, noninvasive therapy that may stimulate the opening, or formation, of small branches of blood vessels to create natural bypasses around narrowed or blocked arteries.
During an EECP session, the patient lies on a bed wearing a series of pressure cuffs around the calves and thighs. The cuffs are inflated and deflated in sequence, placing pres-sure on the legs that assists blood flow from the lower limbs to the heart. Most patients are treated with EECP one hour daily, for a total of 35 hours.
Clinical trials have confirmed that EECP can bring about long-lasting symptomatic relief of angina that has not responded to medical therapy, as well as improve blood flow to deprived areas of heart muscle. Many patients are able to reduce, or even eliminate, nitrate use. Improved ability to engage in daily activity, including exercise, is another frequently reported benefit.
Other services available at Southwest Preventive Health include low-dose lung scanning, virtual Colonography,noninvasive coronary angiograms, nuclear stress tests,echo stress tests and regular echocardiograms. For more information, please call Southwest Heart or Southwest Preventative Health.
Southwest Heart • 6567 E. Carondelet Dr., Suite 225 – Tucson, Arizona • 520-886-3432
THE BOARD-CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS OF Southwest Heart
Brenda C. Peart, M.D., FACC, FCCP
Special interests include reversing heart disease, preventive cardiology and alternative medicine.
G. Mason Garcia, M.D., FACC, FCCP
Special interests include interventional cardiology,clinical research and “old fashioned” house calls.
Teresa J. Mason, M.D
Special interests include echocardiography,clinical research and heart disease in women.