MOULTRIE, Ga. – Colquitt Regional Medical Center recently announced it is implementing a new heart attack prevention and early detection initiative, making it the first hospital in the state to be affiliated with the National Heart Health Program.

This internationally recognized program will focus on coronary calcium scoring, which is a noninvasive, five-minute heart test to check for the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries before a person develops symptoms of heart disease. The test is recommended for all men who are 45 years or older, women who are 55 years or older, and young adults with two or more risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and family history of heart disease.

“Bringing the National Heart Health Program to Colquitt Regional will greatly benefit our community,” said Jim Matney, Colquitt Regional president and CEO. “We are encouraging everyone who fits the criteria to have the calcium scoring test to know their score for heart disease. One of the best ways to remain healthy is by being proactive.”

The test is delivered using a 64-slice CT scanner and will allow doctors to identify the disease in its earliest stages, prevent the disease from worsening, and reduce life threatening events.

Sterling Physician Group cardiologists Dr. Lawrence Ukpong and Dr. Pallavi Luthra both stress how important it is for patients to be educated and have a preventative mindset when it comes to heart health.

“Someone in the United States has a heart attack every 40 seconds,” said Ukpong. “We hope that by implementing this program, we will make a significant impact in reducing heart attacks and cardiac deaths in our area.”

According to the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US. It accounted for 13 percent of total deaths in the US in 2016, which was approximately 363,452 deaths.

“This program will be instrumental in identifying those at risk,” said Luthra. “Our goal is to promote awareness of the test in the community and reach as many people as possible, especially those who have a higher likelihood of developing heart disease and those who may not even be aware of their risk.”

This calcium scoring test is now available at a reduced price of $99, requires no order from a physician and an appointment is not necessary.

To have the coronary calcium scoring test performed, go to the outpatient desk at Colquitt Regional and sign in, specifying that is the reason for the visit. Payment is due upon registration and covers the cost of the test and the radiologist’s reading fee.

The final report will then be sent to the patient’s primary care physician to determine if any further testing is needed.

For more information regarding calcium scoring testing, please call the cardiology department at 229-891-9060 or visit www.colquittregional.com.