Episode 6: Heart Health

A to Z with Nikki Lee

Welcome to Episode 6 of A to Z with Nikki Lee! Last week, we asked you to watch the documentary film “The Widow Maker” on Netflix in preparation for this weeks topic, coronary artery calcium scores (CACS). Dr. Tom Perry, who kindly contributed his expertise on the topic, is a cardiologist specialist who has been practicing in Phoenix, Arizona for the past 44 years. To prepare you for the interview, we have provided some helpful background information. The coronary artery calcium score is a measurement of the amount of calcium found in the walls of the arteries supplying the heart muscles. It uses a special CT scan of your heart, showing any amount of hardening on the artery wall that is present. It gives a risk factor of getting a heart attack or stroke in the next five to ten years. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. The calcium score can be used by your doctor to determine whether you are at low, normal or high risk and help to determine next step