Why Is It Important to Detect Coronary Disease Early?
The buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis) is a silent disease that represents the number one killer of Americans. For as many as 150,000 people each year, a fatal heart attack represents the first and only symptom. There are millions of Americans at great risk for a heart attack, and yet have very few, if any major risk factors. There have been tremendous advances proving that atherosclerosis can be halted (an occasionally reversed) once diagnosed, but the problem of early detection has remained elusive. Risk factor modification with lifestyle changes and/or medications have been demonstrated to save lives and decrease heart attacks in high-risk individuals.
