SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is a leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Regional West’s Imaging Services is proud to offer low-dose computed tomography (CT) calcium scoring exams to help detect heart disease before symptoms appear.

CT calcium scoring exams take images of the heart to help determine how much calcium is in the heart’s arteries. Calcium, fats, and other substances can build up in arteries, resulting in narrowing and reduced blood flow. This can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke.

A CT calcium scoring exam looks for calcified plaque in the arteries and then measures the amount, called a calcium score. The higher the score, the greater the risk for heart attack, heart disease, or stroke. Physicians and providers can use this score to determine treatments that will target risk factors, like blood pressure and cholesterol.

Regional West Imaging Services CT/MRI supervisor Tannis Reif, RT(R)(MR)(CT), said the exam can help patients take charge of their heart health and make potentially-lifesaving changes.

“Calcified plaque can build up in arteries for many years without symptoms. This exam is a quick, noninvasive way to know your risk for heart disease and protect your health before a heart attack or stroke occurs,” she said.

If you’re over 45 and have a heart rate under 100, ask your physician or provider about a calcium scoring exam. Insurance plans don't typically cover this screening, but Regional West Imaging Services offers these self-pay exams for $150, which includes the scan and a professional read of the results by a radiologist. For more information on Regional West Imaging Services, visit https://www.rwhs.org/services/other-services/imaging-services.

About Regional West

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West features an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics. Regional West offers comprehensive and innovative healthcare services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.