Heart disease has been the leading cause of death worldwide for over two decades; more specifically, ischemic (coronary) heart disease, which accounts for over nine million deaths annually.¹ However, while annual screenings for certain types of cancers are recommended for everyone, heart disease screenings are only recommended for high-risk individuals, leaving the decision for screening up to individuals and their doctors.

Plaque is primarily to blame for heart disease as it can lead to narrowing of the arteries, reduced blood flow and blockages. Risk factors include genetics and age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and stress.²

The gold standard for screening is a CT scan, and the top-of-the-line CT technology is the AI-enhanced, photon-counting Naeotom Alpha which delivers higher resolution, better contrast, reduced noise, shorter scans and lower radiation doses.

“The imaging and analysis of this newly introduced technology are night and day,” says Avant Longevity’s Hessam Mahdavi, MD, “providing more accurate information for more effective treatment plans.” Avant offers the screening which takes place at Eisenhower Imaging Center. “In the past, we only had the radiologist interpretation which can be subjective. Now readings are accompanied by a comprehensive AI assessment which can be as accurate as a full angiogram.”

This revolutionary technology assesses plaque more vividly, calculates calcium score more accurately, provides 3D imaging to evaluate cardiac anatomy, structure and function, assesses ejection fraction (how much blood the heart is pumping), and can further analyze blood flow to specific regions of the heart. It can also identify abnormalities indirectly, such as in the lung.

The problem with heart disease is that it is often asymptomatic, and no one knows that better than Jerry Chang, MD, an interventional radiologist at Eisenhower Imaging Center. His partners encouraged Dr. Chang to take the scan preventively, but as a healthy 52-year-old, he didn’t feel it was necessary. His father had coronary heart disease in his 60s, but Chang attributed that to smoking. He decided to try it while bringing his mother-in-law in for a scan. Much to his surprise, the results showed severe blockage in two major arteries, including the ‘widow-maker.’ He was admitted to the hospital that evening for an urgent cardiac catheterization and stent placement. His decision to scan preventively most likely saved his life.

Avant Longevity offered me the opportunity to try the scan. While I have no major risk factors, heart health has always been a concern merely due to work stress and alcohol consumption, so I graciously accepted. Following a brief phone consult with Mahdavi, the five-minute scan was scheduled. The entire process took about 30 minutes and scans were taken with and without contrast requiring an iodine infusion.

The images and calculated results were fascinating to review and eased my mind as Mahdavi assessed that I am in the top 1% of healthy hearts. My husband, who does have several risk factors, is consulting with his doctor about the scan.

If you feel you are at risk for heart disease, being proactive can be lifesaving. Your doctor can order the cardiac CT angiogram (CCTA) via Eisenhower Imaging Center, or individuals can contact Avant Longevity directly for more information and scheduling.

Lauren Del Sarto is founder/publisher of Desert Health and can be reached at
Lauren@DesertHealthNews.com. For more information, visit www.avantlongevity.com.

References: 1) https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death; 2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5686931/.