ARE YOU A HEART ATTACK WAITING TO HAPPEN?

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every 60 seconds, someone in this country suffers a fatal heart attack. For one out of every three people with coronary artery disease, their first symptom is sudden death. When detected early, chances are good that the progression of the disease can be halted or even reversed and heart attacks or strokes can be prevented. Studies have shown that the "usual" risk factors, such as cholesterol levels, are no better at predicting who will have a heart attack than a coin-toss. Seventy-percent of all heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. Stress tests don't show any abnormalities until an artery is at least 60% narrowed. Most heart attacks occur in arteries that are less than 50% narrowed and are therefore not detectable by any form of stress testing.

The Princeton Longevity Center in New Jersey is one of a small but growing number of facilities that offer the state of the art coronary artery scan that can determine if you are at risk for a heart attack years before the first symptoms. The center’s medical director Dr. David Fein explains that, "by detecting calcium deposits in the artery walls, the EBT scan can detect the presence of blockages in your coronary arteries that may not yet be severe enough to show up on other tests. The EBT Scan is the most sensitive non-invasive method currently available to accurately identify the presence of early coronary artery disease." The American Heart Association says that this scan is, "more powerful than even the best non-invasive test for predicting a heart attack or other coronary episode, even in apparently healthy people."
With early detection, their team of specialists can design an individualized program for patients to immediately start to reverse the blockage of arteries and lower risk of future heart attacks.

Heart Scans Are Recommended For:
Men over 35
High blood pressure
History of smoking
High cholesterol
Family history of heart disease
Women over 40 or
post-menopausal
High stress levels
Sedentary lifestyle
Diabetes

WHAT IS CAS?
Coronary artery scanning (CAS) uses electron beam tomography to capture images of vessels without injection of contrast. CAS can detect and quantify minute amounts of calcified plaque in the major coronary arteries. CAS is the most sensitive, non-invasive method currently available to detect the presence and extent of early atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have concluded that coronary artery calcium is a marker for atherosclerosis, the leading cause of coronary artery disease.

HOW ACCURATE IS THE CORONARY ARTERY SCAN?
The negative predictive value of the coronary artery scan is greater than 99 percent; the sensitivity is also about 95 percent. In other words, if there is no calcium detected by the scan then there is a 99 percent chance of no significant blockage and the risk of a heart attack even lower. Although rare, soft plaque can be present and cause obstructed blood flow. CAS cannot detect soft plaque.

WHAT CAUSES CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE?
Coronary artery disease is often caused by the atherosclerotic process, where narrowing of the coronary arteries occurs due to plaque buildup.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM?
Calcification is caused from the buildup of fat in the inner lining of an artery, which forms plaque. As the plaque builds and hardens, it can reduce and block the flow of blood through the artery. The plaque can rupture and form a blood clot, leading to a heart attack. Early detection of coronary calcium allows for the early detection of coronary artery disease. Then patients can make changes in their modifiable risk factors and reduce the chance of heart attack.

IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATABLE?
Yes, the atherosclerotic process can be slowed, stabilized and actually reversed through aggressive lifestyle modifications and/or through medication therapies under the guidance of a physician.

IS THE CORONARY ARTERY SCAN AN ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE FOR AN ANGIOGRAM?
No. A coronary artery scan is used for the early detection of coronary artery disease, while an angiogram is used to measure the amount of narrowing in the coronary arteries. Due to the invasiveness of traditional angiography, the procedure is not used as a screening test for atherosclerosis.

DO WOMEN NEED CORONARY ARTERY SCANS?
Post-menopausal women are at higher risk of coronary artery disease than pre- menopausal women, but any woman fulfilling the age and risk factor criteria can be scanned. Due to the decreased production of estrogen, the predominant female hormone that helps raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels, women are not as protected from developing coronary artery disease after menopause.




HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE?
The coronary artery scan takes less than 10 minutes.

HOW MUCH RADIATION WILL I BE EXPOSED TO?
The machine produces a very low dose of radiation..The X-ray exposure is about the same as flying cross-country 6 times a year.

Cost: $450.00 for the scan. Some insurance plans will cover the procedure.


For More Information log onto www.theplc.net

About David A. Fein, MD Medical Director and CEO
Founder of the Princeton Longevity Center, Dr. David Fein practiced general Internal Medicine in Morristown, NJ for 16 years. He has traveled extensively to research the latest medical advances to incorporate them into the Princeton Longevity Center. He lectures on topics in preventive medicine and the safe use of nutritional supplements. Dr. Fein is also actively involved in developing health-related legislation in New Jersey.
A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, Dr. Fein received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Fein completed his residency training at Bellevue Hospital- New York University Medical Center and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.