Simple test detects MAJOR heart problems EARLY

Heart problems are downright scary…

And unfortunately, they strike when you least expect them—often with unseen warning signs.

Fortunately, there’s a simple test that, according to research, can help detect some of the most serious heart problems early!

Meet the carotid intima-media thickness test—better known the CIMT.

Unlike other heart tests (like exercise stress tests or echocardiograms), the CIMT measures the thickness of the inner layers of your carotid artery—the artery that transports blood from your heart to your brain.

A thickening of your arteries is known as atherosclerosis. But for many people, atherosclerosis carries no visible symptoms or warning signs during its early stages.

Instead, plaque can build up for years—without you even knowing it! So sometimes the first ‘symptom’ is a heart attack or sudden death.

Thicker arteries and plaques can often lead to coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery disease, and chronic kidney disease.

But a CIMT test helps you look at the overall health of your carotid arteries much earlier by identifying changes in the vessel wall thickness and arterial plaques.

Research found that the overall state of your carotid arteries generally correlates to the state of the arteries in the rest of your body… including your heart.

So if the CIMT test results show notable aging of arteries, you and your doctor can proactively craft a plan suited to help lower your lower blood pressure and cholesterol… which could be as simple as some nutrition and lifestyle changes.

On the flip side, if the CIMT test results show no concerning signs of aging, then there’s no need to worry (or succumb to MORE testing).

Another benefit? Practically ZERO preparation is required! And in the majority of cases, you can resume normal activities immediately following the test.

Plus, most major insurance plans—including Medicare—will cover the cost of CIMT testing.

If you have a history of heart disease in your family, talk to your doctor about CIMT testing before scheduling a test.

To detecting heart problems early,

Cory Templeman
Senior Editor, eAlert

Sources:

Duggal, Neel. “What You Should Know About the Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Test.” https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/cimt-test