Facts about Heart Scans (EBCT)

As advances are made in the treatment of heart disease, a variety of tests have been developed to detect these problems. Echocardiography that views the heart in motion. Another of these heart tests recently getting wide, if perhaps confusing attention, is the ultra-fast (electron beam) computed tomography scan (EBCT), more popularly known as a "heart scan". The test has become a heavily advertised procedure for the early detection of coronary heart disease. Promoted by extensive marketing campaigns, this test is touted to be both painless and accurate and does not require a physician's order to be scheduled. But what is this new test? How accurate is it? Will insurance cover the procedure? Is it truly cost-effective? Does it play any role in the management of coronary heart disease.The EBCT "heart scan" is an elegant, sophisticated x-ray[coro angio] that very accurately identifies and quantifies the presence or absence of calcium deposits, both in or around the coronary arteries (arteries that feed the heart). Strong statistical correlation exists between the presence of these calcium deposits and the presence of coronary heart disease. It should be noted, however, the statistical correlation is heavily age dependent, as calcium deposition appears to be a natural phenomenon of aging.Therefore, the predictability of an individual with coronary calcium deposits for having significant heart disease is higher for those in younger (40's - 50's) than in older age groups. Likewise, the predictive accuracy for individuals without coronary calcium deposits being free of significant disease is lower in younger test subjects. Unfortunately, this test is being marketed as a self diagnostic test for the presence or absence of coronary heart disease. Any person experiencing warning cardiac symptoms, who then undergoes a "heart scan" and gets a favorable result, may erroneously forego medical consultation and miss the real diagnosis.However, following a low fat diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco products, maintaining regular contact with one's personal physician, and obtaining prudent consultation with a cardiologists, remain the best ways to prevent, detect and treat coronary heart disease.