eart Health

KCH's Cardiac Risk Assessment

No single test can provide a complete and accurate profile of your risk. We offer the most comprehensive array of screening and non-invasive tests available for evaluating cardiovascular disease.

• State-of-the-art CT (computerized tomography) scan to reveal the extent of calcification, an indication of blockage.
• Measurement of cholesterol and glucose levels.
• Blood pressure check, BMI, and body fat analysis.
• A personal consultation with a registered nurse to help you understand and identify your cardiac risk factors.

These tests provide an accurate, personalized assessment of your major risk factors for heart disease. This information will be valuable to you in planning and discussing your options with your physician.

KCH Cardiac Risk Assessment, (815) 748-8353

Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?

Over 33 percent of all Americans who have a heart attack each year, show no symptoms beforehand. They exhibit some of the factors that lead to heart disease but may not have symptoms that merit immediate treatment.

Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s HeartWise Program Will Benefit You.

For 150,000 Americans each year, the first and only sign of coronary disease is a fatal heart attack. This means they had no symptoms, their cholesterol levels were normal, they weren’t smokers, nothing abnormal had ever been uncovered in their periodic physical exams and stress tests.

Then one day, they succumbed unexpectedly to a fatal heart attack, much to the despair of their families and loved ones.

• Coronary artery disease claims more lives than lung, colon, prostate and breast cancer combined.
• Women are10 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer.

The Primary Factors That Increase Your Risk of Coronary Disease Are:

• Age and gender (men over 45 and women who have passed menopause or are age 55 and older)
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Family or personal history of heart disease, diabetes or other diseases
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Weight (20 pounds or more overweight)
• Sedentary lifestyle

What Should I Expect?

During Kishwaukee Community Hospital’s Cardiac Risk Assessment, you will complete a brief personal and family health history, and a nurse will measure your blood pressure, BMI, and body fat percentage.  . Blood will be taken to measure your cholesterol and glucose levels.

If you select Level II, you will be scheduled for a non-invasive, painless CT scan of your heart and its arteries. ECG leads will be used so that our advanced scanner can precisely measure the beating of your heart and take dozens of images when your heart is still. Our cardiac CT computer processes these images to identify calcium in your coronary arteries.

Comprehensive Wellness Assessment with Risk Factor Analysis

• Heart Health Profile
• Total Cholesterol and Glucose Levels
• Blood Pressure, BMI, and Body Fat Analysis
• Nurse consultation and report to personal physician

Cost: $60 *

Cardiac Calcium Scoring & Heart Health Profile, Level II

• Heart Health Profile
• Total Cholesterol and Glucose Levels
• Blood Pressure, BMI, and Body Fat Analysis
• Cardiac Calcium Scoring
• Nurse consultation and report to personal physician

Cost: $199 *

* Please note that most health plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not pay for heart screening examinations or other elective services. Payment is expected at the time of service. Wellness benefits may apply. Please check with your insurance company or employer. Kishwaukee Community Hospital accepts payment by cash, personal check or major credit card.

What Do Your Test Results Mean?

Cholesterol

Total Cholesterol (fasting is highly desirable prior to this test)
200 or less - desirable cholesterol level
201 to 239 - borderline high cholesterol level
240 or higher - high cholesterol level

LDL Cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol; test is valid if taken after fasting)
100 or less - optimal LDL cholesterol level
100 to 129 – near optimal/above optimal LDL cholesterol level
130 to 159 – borderline high LDL cholesterol level
160 to 189 – high LDL cholesterol level
190 or greater – very high LDL cholesterol level

HDL Cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol; fasting is highly desirable prior to this test)
40 or less – low HDL cholesterol level
60 or greater – high HDL cholesterol level (desirable)

Triglycerides

(test is valid if taken after fasting)
150 or less - normal level of triglycerides
150 to 199 - borderline high level of triglycerides
200 to 499 - high level of triglycerides
500 or greater – very high level of triglycerides

Sources: National Cholesterol Education Program, ATP III At-A-Glance: Quick Desk Reference
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 01-3305, May 2001

Blood Glucose Fasting

(no food or drink, except water and medications for at least 12 hours before testing)
99 or less - normal blood glucose level
100 to 125 - elevated blood glucose level, may indicate impaired fasting glucose or pre-diabetes
126 or higher - tested on two different days; may indicate diabetes

 Source: A portion of this information was taken from the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, 10/17/08.

Blood Pressure (systolic over diastolic, read, "120 over 80")

Systolic Pressure (when heart is beating)
119 or less - normal systolic blood pressure
120 to 139 - pre-hypertenstion
140 or higher - hypertension, may indicate need for treatment

Diastolic Pressure (when heart is at rest)
79 or less - normal diastolic blood pressure
80 to 89 – pre-hypertension  
90 or higher - hypertension may indicate need for treatment

Sources: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org, last reviewed 4/18/08.

Coronary Artery Calcium Level (determined by Cardiac CT)

Cardiac CT reveals the extent of calcification in the heart's coronary arteries, which indicates the presence of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Determining the extent of cardiac risk requires interpretation of the calcium score in combination with other tests and risk factors, particularly age and gender. Generally, Cardiac Calcium Scoring is not predictive of risk in persons under age 40.

0 - no identifiable calcification
1 to 10 - minimal identifiable calcification
11 to 100 – mild calcification
101 to 400 – moderate calcification
401 and above – significant calcification