Heart Attacks Striking Out of the Blue

Each year, more than 300,000 Americans die of a sudden, fatal heart attack. This week, the Wall Street Journal reports that about a third of the victims don’t have the usual risk factors, such as family history of heart disease, abdominal fat, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. But there may be a new way to anticipate such attacks. The Journal reports that Prediman Shah, director of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, is one of many experts who recommend a coronary calcium CT scan. Shah says the noninvasive procedure takes about 15 minutes and costs a few hundred dollars … but may not be covered by your insurer. At a minimum, says Shah, seeing a picture of the calcium lining your arteries can be a wake-up call to take your coronary/artery disease seriously, and to be diligent in taking medication, exercising, and making other healthy lifestyle changes. For more information on this procedure, go to www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/HB0005.