If you could predict the future, would you take steps to improve your health?

Studies show that one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups.

Union Hospital Clinton is taking steps to curb those numbers. A simple, non-invasive heart screening, or coronary calcium scan, is available to patients that want to understand the early warning signs of heart disease and prevent it. This specialized x-ray test provides images of your heart to help your physician detect calcium-containing plaque in the arteries.

"It is a very simple test that takes less than 15 minutes to complete. Results are known instantly so patients can follow up with their physician to see what the next steps are," Stephanie Laws, MSN, RN, Vice President and Administrator for Union Hospital Clinton, said.

Statistics position Vermillion and Parke as two of the worst counties in the State of Indiana for cardiovascular related issues.

"It is much more common for people in rural areas to postpone their symptoms and only see a doctor when they have serious symptoms," Cardiologist Dr. Krishna Namburi said. "We are very fortunate to have a cardiac screen in Vermillion County at Union Hospital Clinton. It is inexpensive, effective and gives us much more information and greatly benefits the community."

If evidence of heart disease is caught and treated early enough, conditions are more likely to be treated and potentially reversed.

Heart health in men and women is different. 

"Men oftentimes have the typical chest pains," Dr. Namburi said. "They feel the heaviness, tightness, shortness of breath, in addition to the pain and discomfort in the chest."

"Women have atypical presentations that could be as simple as shoulder pain, jaw pain or shortness of breath," Laws said. "They know their bodies well enough, but they are always taking care of everyone else and sometimes deprioritizing those symptoms and shrugging it off. Denial is no joke."

Regardless of your age, gender or ethnicity, listening to what your heart is telling you is key.

"I would recommend a heart scan to anyone with a family history of heart issues, along with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking or poor diet," Namburi said. "Even though the patient may not be feeling any symptoms at the time, it [heart scan] will help us guide them on what to do next."

For more information about heart scans at Union Hospital Clinton, call 765.832.1317 or visit myunionhealth.org/heartscan.