He thought he was in perfect health. An advanced scan showed otherwise
Summary
Chris Abrunzo, who had a family history of heart disease, believed he was healthy based on regular checkups and tests. However, a newer heart scan called a cardiac CT angiogram showed dangerous plaque buildup in his arteries that other tests missed. After treatment, his artery blockage decreased, lowering his risk of a heart attack.Key Facts
- Chris Abrunzo’s father had a serious heart attack, motivating Chris to monitor his heart health.
- Regular tests showed Chris was healthy except for high cholesterol, which he treated with medicine.
- A cardiac CT angiogram provides detailed 3D images of the heart and arteries without surgery.
- This scan detected plaque buildup and about 70% blockage in one artery, which other tests had missed.
- Chris adjusted his treatment and lifestyle, which improved his artery blockage to about 40%.
- Cardiac CT angiograms can find smaller blockages (20-30%) that often cause heart attacks.
- The test also helps identify vulnerable plaque, which is more likely to rupture and cause sudden heart attacks.
- Use of cardiac CT angiograms has grown recently, and medical guidelines now recommend them for evaluating heart risk.
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