Heart Health Screenings Can Save Lives and Prevent Heart Attacks

Many people do not experience symptoms before having a heart attack or stroke. Simple screening tests performed by experts trained in cardiovascular disease can identify problems and prevent future cardiovascular issues.

Screenings are fast, accurate and painless. At OSU Cardiovascular Medicine, screenings are offered year-round and are open to the general public with no physician referral required.

Are you?

  • A male older than 45 or a female older than 55?
  • A current or former smoker?
  • On blood pressure medication?
  • Someone with a close family history of heart attack, bypass, stroke or balloon angioplasty?
  • Diabetic?
  • Someone with elevated cholesterol levels?

If you answered “yes” to two or more of these questions, you may be at risk for heart attack or stroke and should consider heart screenings. To schedule a screening or for questions, contact the OSU Cardiovascular Medicine clinic.

Heart screenings help detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke. These low-cost tests are simple and fast, and the results will be sent to your physician. Schedule screenings 1, 2 and 3 and receive a $20 discount. To schedule a screening or for questions, contact the OSU Cardiovascular Medicine clinic at 918-582-7711.

1. Carotid Artery Evaluation – 15 minutes, $40
Strokes rank third among all causes of death behind heart disease and cancer. They occur when blood supply to the brain is interrupted. A carotid artery screening uses an ultrasound of the neck to look for blockages in the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain. Blockage is a marker of heart attack risk.

2. Cardiac Function Evaluation – 15 minutes, $40
To analyze cardiac function and calculate your Ejection Fraction (the amount of blood your heart
is able to pump), an ultrasound is used to look at blood flow at various locations on your chest.

3. Abdominal Aorta Evaluation – 15 minutes, $40
Abdominal aneurysms are the tenth leading cause of death in males over 55 and most do not show any symptoms before they rupture. To screen for an aneurysm, an ultrasound is used to evaluate your abdominal aorta.

4. Ankle/Brachial Index – 15 minutes, $40
Blood pressures are obtained from your legs and arms to screen for peripheral artery disease.
It not only assesses circulation to the legs, but also is a marker of heart attack risk.

5. Cardiac Calcium Scoring – 15 minutes, $99
Coronary plaque can build up for years without any symptoms. If left untreated it can cause blockages to blood flow and lead to a heart attack. A CT scanner can quickly take a series of pictures in your heart. These images are used to determine where there is calcified plaque in the coronaries.

To schedule a screening call the OSU Medicine Cardiovascular clinic at 918-582-7711.