SCAN FINDS HEART ATTACK RISK IN FIT PEOPLE
A scanning technique called electron beam computed tomography was
able to identify clogged arteries--a known heart attack risk even
among healthy individuals who do not have the usual high-risk
factors for heart attacks, report researchers at an annual con
ference of the American Heart Association in San Antonio, Texas.
"For people who are at risk because of a family history of early
heart disease, this is an extremely good test to add to a regular
physical exam," says U.S. Army cardiologist Jerel Zoltick.
"However, for people who are at very low risk with no family
history of heart disease, the benefits of the [scan] may be limited."
The scan, which costs about $600 and takes about 90 seconds, can
detect calcium deposits in heart arteries. Calcium deposits are a
part of atherosclerosis, the process of thickening and hardening
of the arteries, which starts with the build-up of soft, fatty
deposits. As time passes calcium can become part of the build-up.