Keep the Beat
HeartScan Minnesota™: An easy test for early signs of heart disease
When it comes to health care, Helen Ross tends to be the “gatekeeper” in her family. Like many women, she’s often the one who takes the lead in addressing any health concerns facing her or her husband, Greg.
“At our age, if you want to stay healthy, you have to make changes,” says Ross, who is 65.
In recent years, both she and Greg have made some deliberate changes in hopes of extending the good health they both enjoy. Nutrient-rich fresh veggies like broccoli and spinach are often on the grocery list, and the couple has made regular exercise a priority.
Helen also attended an educational event last fall sponsored by the Women's Heart Health Program at the Minneapolis Heart Institute®. There she learned about a simple test offered by HeartScan Minnesota that helps identify early-stage heart disease. She decided to schedule an appointment for herself as well as for Greg, who is 63.
The calcium-scoring test is conducted using a computed tomography (CT) scan that takes just a few minutes to complete. The test is a useful screening tool for people who do not have symptoms but have other risk factors for heart disease, including family history, high cholesterol, smoking history, high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes.
Helen was concerned because heart disease runs in her family, and Greg’s father died from heart disease in his 50s.
For Helen, the test result was good news. It showed that her coronary arteries are normal for a woman her age. But for Greg, the results served as a wake-up call.
His results indicated the presence of hard plaque and led to a follow-up appointment with a cardiologist. But Greg didn’t wait to see the doctor before making some changes himself, including cutting back on candy and other sweets.
The HeartScan Minnesota test costs $100 and includes a cholesterol screening. All scans are read by both a radiologist and a cardiologist. Like any test involving radiation, the radiation dose is carefully monitored. The HeartScan Minnesota team calibrates the test for each individual to minimize the radiation dose.
Helen and Greg believe it is important be proactive about health and have told family members and friends about the HeartScan (heartscanmn.com) test. “We don’t want to bury our heads in the sand about this stuff,” says Helen.
Greg is thankful that Helen was aware of the test. “Had she not gone to that event, we wouldn’t have known about this test. Now I have the opportunity to do something about it. It definitely changes your outlook.”
Ask the Expert
Heart disease runs in my family and I’m considering having a coronary artery calcium-scoring test [e.g. HeartScan] to see if I have signs of heart disease. Should I be concerned about the radiation exposure involved in a test like this?
The maximum radiation dose you can receive from a coronary artery calcium-scoring computed tomography (CT) scan at HeartScan Minnesota is 3 millisieverts (mSv). But our average patient receives a radiation dose of 0.72 mSv. This is slightly higher than a mammogram, which is 0.4 mSv and much lower than an abdominal/pelvic CT scan (15 mSv).
To put this in perspective, the amount of naturally occurring background radiation that you receive during a one-year period is 3.6 mSv. The risk of this test in increasing your existing risk of fatal cancer is considered low. Because we are a licensed screening center, the radiation dose given during this test cannot exceed 3.0 mSv. We carefully assess each patient and adjust the radiation dose so that the patient receives the lowest dose possible.
You should discuss the risks of any medical procedure with your doctor because often the answer will depend on your individual circumstances.
Sesame-Orange Shrimp
Yes, good news, shrimp is an acceptable heart healthy food choice. Often considered taboo for its high cholesterol value, shrimp is very low in total fat and saturated fat. Research suggests that it is the saturated fat and trans fat in the diet, not so much the cholesterol, that raises blood LDL cholesterol levels. So, shrimp can be included on occasion into the diet. This Asian-influenced recipe is a tasty, easy-to-prepare introduction. Accompany it with brown basmati rice and snow peas for a striking evening entrée.
Ingredients:
3 TBsp sesame seed (white, black or a mix)
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 pound raw shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and
deveined
2 TBsp canola oil, divided
3/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dry sherry*
2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 scallion, thinly sliced
Directions:
Whisk sesame seeds, egg whites, cornstarch, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Heat 1 TBsp of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add half of the shrimp and cook about 1-2 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with the remaining oil and shrimp. Add orange juice, sherry, soy sauce, and sugar to the pan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly thick and reduced by half, about 4-6 minutes. Return the shrimp to the pan and stir to coat with the sauce. Serve immediately, with scallion garnish.
*Use dry sherry because “cooking sherry” sold in the supermarkets can be high in sodium.
Yield: 4 servings
One serving provides: Calories 232, Fat 10 grams (Saturated 1.0 g), Cholesterol 168 mg, Protein 21 g, Carbohydrate 12 g, Fiber 1 g, Sodium 327 mg.
Recipe courtesy of EatingWell.com and the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.
Stress Less
Getting back to the basics can help you cope with stress
If stress is ruling your life, think about getting back to the basics. Healthful eating, adequate rest and regular exercise are essential to conquering stress. Even if you can’t rid your life of stress, you can control your response to it.
The key is to not let stress knock you down or get the best of you. Find ways to brighten your perspective and build your stamina. Try these five simple strategies.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat. Eat three meals a day, and choose basic foods – those that are usually found on the outside walls of the grocery store.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Most problems are more manageable after a good night’s sleep.
- Walk for a half-hour every day, and consider other forms of exercise to enhance strength and flexibility.
- Practice relaxation exercises every day or as needed. Set aside time to connect with your purpose and feed your spirit.
- Tap into your social network daily. Socialize, network and connect with others.