A simple heart screening can help you keep your heart healthy
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the #1 cause of death for both men and women. But there’s good news: it can be treated if caught early. And one of the best and easiest preventive tests for your heart is a heart screening.
Schedule an appointment with a UT Health East Texas primary care provider and ask about our $100 heart scan today
What is a heart screening? 
There are different heart screenings designed to detect potential heart issues before they occur. One of the most common is the calcium score, a specialized X-ray that provides pictures of your heart to help detect and measure plaque buildup lining the walls of your coronary arteries.
Plaque buildup narrows the arteries, restricts blood flow to the heart and ultimately can lead to a heart attack if left unchecked. By detecting plaque buildup early, your doctor can provide a treatment plan to help you reduce your chances of a heart attack or stroke.
Who should get a heart screening?
If you are 40 years or older and are at an increased risk for heart disease, you should consider a heart screening. You are at an increased risk if you:
- Are diabetic
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Are a past or present smoker
- Have a history of high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure
- Are overweight or lead an inactive lifestyle
We can help you manage your heart health by starting with a heart scan to detect potential issues before they happen. Plus, a heart scan can motivate you to make important lifestyle changes and follow treatment plans for a lifetime of good heart health.
What should I expect during a heart screening?
A calcium score heart scan is a simple test that takes around 10-15 minutes. A technician will attach sensors, called electrodes, to your chest before the scan. These sensors connect to a device that records your heart activity and helps take X-ray pictures between heartbeats when the heart muscles are relaxed.
During the heart scan, you will lie on your back on a table that slides into a CT scanner. Your head is outside the scanner the whole time. You will lie still and hold your breath for a few seconds while the pictures are taken. After the procedure, you can drive yourself home and resume your normal activities.
Why choose UT Health East Texas
From comprehensive diagnostics to open heart surgery and rehabilitation, the UT Health East Texas Heart and Vascular Institute provides a wide range of heart care. Our facilities at UT Health Tyler are state-of-the-art, including three dedicated cath labs, two dedicated cardiac operating rooms, a 10-bed cardiovascular ICU, a 30+ bed cardiac step-down and recovery floor and a dedicated cardiac rehab program. We offer advanced technology and board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians to improve heart health in East Texas.
Get peace of mind for only $100
Call us at 903-596-DOCS to schedule an appointment with a UT Health East Texas primary care physician today, and ask about getting the required physician's order for a $100 heart scan so you can live life, better.