Centegra Health System celebrates National Heart Month with special events and screenings in addition to educating the public about heart disease.
As the first Accredited Chest Pain Center in the region, Centegra’s emergency departments in McHenry and Woodstock emphasize immediate treatment of chest pain and heart symptoms. A team of cardiologists provides a full scope of heart-related services. Those include diagnosis to treatment to rehabilitation, while incorporating open heart and valve surgery and state-of-the-art imaging capabilities.
For prevention, a free, on-line heart health test called HeartAware is available at centegra.org/heartaware. Each HeartAware participant found at risk is invited to a free consultation with a cardiac nurse, an important benefit when a risk of heart disease has been identified.HeartAware is a free, pre-diagnostic tool that can be taken in the privacy of one’s own home at any time of the day or night. A person may be unaware that certain health habits or family history may be having a dramatic effect on their heart health. HeartAware provides the essential first step in effectively managing one’s health.In addition, cardiac calcium scoring is a screening study used to check for the probability of plaque, which can be associated with other cardiac risk factors for heart disease. This is a non-invasive screening test that requires no prep and takes about 30 minutes. Walk-ins are accepted. A physician order is not required for an appointment.Centegra medical imaging is currently providing cardiac CT scans to evaluate for coronary calcium scoring for a total cost of $75. The cost includes hospital charge and radiologist fee. Payment is due at the same time an appointment is scheduled. No insurance will be billed.”Coronary artery plaques are caused by the deposition of cholesterol under the inner layer of an artery,” said Dr. Douglas Tomasian, director of cardiology with Centegra Physician Care. “Over time the build-up of plaque may progress and these plaques may become calcified. Calcified plaques can be detected by coronary CT scanning and indicate the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Progression of the plaque build-up can narrow the arteries and obstruct blood flow to the heart, resulting in chest pain, a heart attack, or even sudden cardiac death.” Tomasian added that because calcium is a marker of CAD, the amount of calcium detected on a cardiac CT scan is a helpful prognostic tool. Imaging locations include:
- Crystal Lake Medical Arts located at 360 Station Drive
- Centegra Hospital-McHenry located at Route 31 and Bull Valley Road
- Centegra Health Center-Huntley located at 10350 Haligus Road
To schedule an appointment, call 815-334-5566 or visit centegra.org/heart.Also, Centegra’s vascular screening program provides immediate preliminary results on the following tests:
- Ultrasound images of the carotid artery to detect plaque buildup
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) measurements to detect blockage risk and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
- Heart rhythm EKG readout to detect atrial fibrillation
- Risk level for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
- Body Mass Index, pulse and blood pressure numbers
All results are completely confidential. Follow-up reports completed by a Centegra Health System radiologist are mailed to the patient within one week so he or she can easily share the information with a physician. Upcoming dates and locations:
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Centegra Hospital-Woodstock
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at Centegra Physician Care-Crystal Lake
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center-Huntley
- 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 at Holiday Inn Crystal Lake
Make a smart move and find out about your risk for heart disease. Cost is $129 for all tests. For a screening appointment, call 877-CENTEGRA (236-8347). This screening is part of Centegra’s pearls for wellness program where women can receive a pearl for participating in select health and wellness programs. To learn more, visit centegra.org/pearl.
