Can You Prevent Heart Disease?

About half of Americans who have had a heart attack were unaware that they had heart disease. So the earlier you detect heart disease and begin treatment, the less likely patients are to suffer a heart attack or stroke, right? Not necessarily, but that’s what researchers in Salt Lake City are trying to find out.

In a new study, diabetic patients who have heart disease but no symptoms will be followed for two years to see if early intervention is better at preventing strokes, heart attacks and death than regular diabetes treatment. The preventative measures include cholesterol management and open-heart surgery.

The researchers will use CT scans to detect heart disease. If the scans prove useful, they could become a recommended preventative test for anyone at risk for heart disease but who doesn’t show any symptoms. That would be a major change from today when insurance companies generally don’t pay for CT scans unless patents exhibit symptoms of heart disease.

What preventative measures are you taking against heart disease? [The Salt Lake Tribune]