Tried or prescribed Electron-Beam Computed Tomography? Share your experience.
|
I'm a professional and |
|
| 0 people have tried Electron-Beam Computed Tomography | 0 people have prescribed Electron-Beam Computed Tomography |
Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) is a fast and sensitive test for detecting calcium build-up in the arteries of the heart. It uses an electron “gun” instead of regular x-rays to scan the chest.
The amount of calcium build-up in the arteries will give your doctor an idea of whether a condition known as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) has developed. This condition can lead to narrowing of the arteries, heart attack , stroke , and other serious conditions.
Varying Degrees of Atherosclerosis in Coronary Arteries © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
EBCT is useful for screening people for coronary heart disease (CHD). It can be used before or after symptoms (such as chest pain) actually appear. This is important because, for many people, the first sign of CHD is a heart attack.
It can be used to:
- Determine the risk of CHD in people with no symptoms
- Determine likelihood of CHD in people with abnormal chest pain
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if you have any questions about the test, your condition, or your test results.
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
