MONROE — With one in four deaths in America caused by heart disease, a focus on prevention can save countless lives throughout the years.

Now, a painless, needleless test meant for heart disease prevention that was first implemented at the Monroe Clinic in 2018 has helped over 1,000 patients determine their risk of heart disease.

The cardiac calcium scoring test detects plaque build-up or blockages in the heart’s arteries; buildups that could lead to life-threatening heart disease or heart attack.

“The focus in medicine now is on prevention,” Monroe Clinic cardiologist Sunil Penesetti said. 

With calcium scoring technology, heart disease prevention becomes much more accessible for the community.

The test involves a minutes-long CT scan of the arteries surrounding the heart, requiring no contrast or dye, which is then “scored” by doctors. 

“We look at the plaque buildup and we literally count up the plaque and give it a number,” Penesetti said. The higher the number, the higher the risk of heart disease is.

The number can range anywhere from 0 to the thousands, with anything over 100 warranting a visit to the cardiologist.

Penesetti said that even people without symptoms can have a high risk of heart disease. According to the 2018 Green County Health Needs Assessment, 10.5% of adults in Green County have been diagnosed with diabetes and 35% are obese, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.

“There are just so many of us walking around with these risk factors that we may or may not think about,” Carmen Craker of the Monroe Clinic said.

When a patient’s test score shows a high risk of heart disease, the patient will be referred to a cardiologist to get set on a path of prevention, oftentimes including a diet change or added exercise.

About 55% of patients to take the test have required further follow up.

“Our purpose here is trying to identify people at risk of heart attacks and preventing heart attacks from ever happening in the first place,” Penesetti said.

The test is recommended for men over the age of 40 or women over 50 who have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol or blood pressure or high stress levels, but have not yet shown symptoms of heart disease.

For the 55% of patients who require follow-up, lifestyle changes such as diet or exercise or something more direct like a life-saving operation may be necessary. 

During ‘Heart Month’ February, patients can schedule a test for $75, rather than the normal $92, as long as the test is completed before the end of May. Appointments can be made by calling 608-324-1183.