Computerized tomography (CT) combines the use of X-rays with the latest computer technology to create cross-sectional images of your body. Because some of these slices are as thin as 0.5mm, our Toshiba CT system offers more detail than traditional X-ray. As a result, CT is an ideal way to accurately view and screen for disorders of organs such as the heart as well as vascular structures like the aorta and carotid arteries. CT angiography CT(a) combines the use of high speed CT technology with the administration of iodine contrast to provide 3-dimensional imaging of blood vessels in the body such as the coronary arteries. Using this technique we are able to identify the presence of blockage in an artery or characterize the extent of an aneurysm of the aorta prior to correction.

Today, new imaging technologies give doctors greater insight into the human body. That means doctors can also see signs of disease earlier than ever before, when the disease is most treatable and preventable. Consider the following, 50% of men and 63% of women who die suddenly of heart disease have no previous symptoms. Aortic aneurysms are most often found incidentally but usually do not cause any symptom until the day they rupture. Strokes are often caused by disease of the carotid arteries in the neck. These arteries even when critically blocked are silent in nature and offer little warning. Our ability to screen and identify these problems early on has improved dramatically with recent developments in medical imaging.

The most important doctor you'll ever have in your life is you, because you know your body best and you are in control of when and how often you visit a medical professional. Unlike problems such as colon cancer and breast cancer where guidelines for screening are stated clearly, other diseases such as coronary artery disease do not as yet have defined early screening guidelines. This is partly due to the fact that in the past there has not been an accurate tool for the identification of early plaque build-up in arteries. Individuals should be screened for heart and vascular disease if they carry two or more of the following risk factors.

• Family history of heart attack, father or brother before age 55, mother or sister before 65
• Family history of stroke
• Family history of aneurysm
• Tobacco use
• Diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome
• Obesity, sedentary lifestyle
• Hypertension
• Elevated cholesterol / lipid abnormalities
• Male over the age of 45
• Females over age 55 or who have passed menopause or ovaries removed and not taking estrogen.