Our Medical Director is Dr. George Chrysant and Randy Ashcraft is our Department Director.

1. How safe is an EBT HeartScan?
The radiation exposure of a HeartScan is low. Cheaper, less accurate scans can expose you to up to five times more radiation. There are no shots, no dyes to drink, no fasting, and no medications to take. And its open structure makes it non-claustrophobic.

2. How quick is the EBT HeartScan?
The entire scan takes only a few minutes. As soon as your scan is complete, a technician will go over the results with you, pointing out any significant calcium buildup within the arteries. Your overall calcium score will determine whether further diagnostic testing is recommended.

3. Is it painful?
An EBT HeartScan is non-invasive, meaning there are no shots, no dyes to drink, no fasting, and no medications to take. The test is over in minutes. If you are claustrophobic, you will appreciate the open design of the chamber.

4. How much does an EBT HeartScan cost and will my insurance cover it?
An EBT HeartScan with calcium scoring and interpretation costs $100. Since insurance plans vary, you will need to check with your provider about specific coverage.

5. Do I need a doctor's order?
The EBT HeartScan is a screening exam and therefore appointments can be made by anyone, or scheduled by a physician's office. Walk-ins are also welcome. The scan will take about 30 to 40 minutes and there is no preparation for this exam. It is so simple that it doesn't even require you to remove any of your clothing(i.e., underwire bras, snaps, and zippers) as long as you don't have any metal around your chest area.

6. What can I expect during the exam?
Before the exam begins, a brief history and admissions form will need to be completed. To begin the scan, EKG leads (adhesive type patches) are placed on your chest to obtain an EKG signal and to trigger the scanner. This is the most accurate way of scanning the heart, by allowing a scan to be performed at the quietest part of the heartbeat. This part of the screening exam will take approximately five (5) minutes. Following the scan, a one-on-one consultation with the EBT technologist will be performed to review your images and provide a preliminary report to take with you. A cardiologist will review your exam and prepare a final report, which is mailed directly to your address and your physician as requested.

7. What other exams are available?
A new screening exam is currently being offered to evaluate the arteries in your arms and legs for peripheral arterial vascular disease (PVD or PAD). This test is called a screening ABI, or Ankle-Brachial Index. Blood pressure cuffs are placed on each arm and on each ankle. Blood pressure readings are taken and the systolic pressure of the ankles is compared to the systolic pressure of the arms to calculate an index number. This number is referred to as an Ankle-Brachial Index or ABI. This number is compared to a chart to indicate the presence of any potential for disease in the legs.

A future exam we will offer is an Electron Beam Arteriogram. During this exam, dye is injected into the arm vein and a CT scan of the heart is performed. The equipment will reconstruct a 3-Dimensional image of the heart and coronary vessels for evaluation by a cardiologist. This test will be very useful in determining bypass graft status, and to evaluate if a coronary artery stent is still functioning. It may prevent some of the more invasive coronary arteriograms that are performed in the heart cath lab.