Heart disease can happen to anyone. It's the leading cause of death in America. But it doesn't have to be.
Early detection is key. When you know your heart is at risk, you can get the treatment you need and take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
That goal is at the heart of everything we do at Great Plains Health Heart Institute.
Screenings are held twice monthly by appointment only. Eligibility criteria may apply.
Heart disease prevention
You shouldn't wait for a heart attack to find out your heart is in trouble. Our comprehensive heart screening gives you a clear picture of your heart health—so you and your doctor can start working toward a solution.
Normally this series of tests would cost around $750. But because early detection is our mission, we offer the screening for just $50. It includes your:
- Blood glucose level. High blood sugar raises your risk for heart disease.
- Blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Untreated, it can damage your arteries and lead to a heart attack.
- Body mass index. This number based on your height and weight helps doctors estimate if your body fat is in a healthy range.
- Calcium score. A CT scan of your heart detects plaque in the lining of your arteries.
- Cholesterol level. When there's too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up in your arteries, putting your heart at risk.
Heart disease detection
If your doctors suspect a heart problem, you may need more diagnostic tests to pinpoint the cause. You can get any of these screenings right here without leaving North Platte:
- 128-slice CT scan. This test provides detailed 3-D images of the heart. It lets doctors look inside the heart without surgery or the use of a catheter.
- Coronary angiogram. This test uses x-ray images and contrast dye to view the arteries that deliver blood to the heart.
- Echocardiogram. Harmless sound waves produce images of the heart. This can be used to evaluate the structure and movement of the heart's valves and chambers—and to detect fluid around the heart.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This test evaluates the electrical activity in the heart.
- Nuclear cardiac testing. A safe radioactive tracer in the blood helps measure how your blood is flowing.
- Stress echo. This noninvasive test combines a treadmill stress test and an echocardiogram.
- Transesophageal echo (TEE). Unlike a standard echocardiogram, TEE produces sound waves from a tool inserted into the esophagus at heart level. This gives a view of the heart that is not obscured by other organs, such as the lungs.
- Vascular ultrasound. This noninvasive test uses sound waves to provide pictures of the body's veins and arteries.
How's your heart?
Find out with a heart screening from Great Plains Health Heart Institute in North Platte. To schedule a test, call 308.568.7455. Appointments are available on the first and third Fridays of each month. Screenings are recommended for those that are age 70 and below with no known heart disease.