The Importance of CT Scans

As we age it’s important to keep a close eye on our bodies, this includes being aware of what is going on inside our bodies. That’s where scans such as computed tomography (CT) and other medical imaging can take a closer look. CT scanning and other imaging procedures help to assess a patient’s health and detect early abnormalities and diseases that might otherwise not be discovered before signs or symptoms develop. Without imaging, you only have a piece of the puzzle.

CT scans create cross-sectional, or thin sliced, images of your heart and body. With these images, early signs of heart disease and other health concerns can be detected. Frequently, imaging demonstrates abnormalities that lead to early diagnosis of:

• Cardiac disease
• Lung disease
• Unsuspected abdominal pathology including some types of cancer
• Bone abnormality
• And other health conditions

Although there are no perfect tests or silver bullets for finding all possible abnormalities, CT scans often provide useful information to help physicians direct certain treatments and lifestyle changes.

What to Expect During a CT scan
For a CT scan, you lie on a table that quickly moves you through a cylindrical shaped gantry that is open on both ends. During the scan you are asked to remain motionless as images are created to evaluate internal organs or specific areas of concern. The complete scan only takes a few minutes. The images are then analyzed by a diagnostic radiologist who reports the results to the ordering physician.+

In some instances, your physician may need you to have an injection of a specific dye called intravenous contrast. This contrast allows the radiologist to evaluate your scan with the benefit of additional information provided by the contrast such as analysis of coronary arteries among many other body parts.

Cooper Clinic Recommendations
A CT scan is one of the six standard components of the Cooper Clinic preventive exam . An integral part of the comprehensive evaluation offered to patients, Cooper Clinic recommends having a baseline CT scan of the chest, abdomen and coronary arteries at age 40 for men and age 40-50 for women. Having a baseline CT scan in your 40s and 50s can be useful when health conditions commonly begin showing themselves.

Cooper Clinic utilizes the Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha CT scanner with Quantum Technology. Using photon technology, the state-of-the-art scanner can quickly deliver detailed, ultra-high definition images of the coronary arteries and other body structures commonly with less radiation than older CT technologies.

To learn more about preventive care and your overall health, schedule a comprehensive preventive health exam at Cooper Clinic by visiting cooper-clinic.com or call 866.906.2667 .