Providing independent clinical excellence since 2005
Posted on Saturday September 21, 2024 in Health Screening
25/9/2024 £500 cashback scheme offered nationwide to the first 100 patients in the UK undergoing a Cardiac CT (CTCA) with CaRi Heartscore. This test, which comprises a contrast CT coronary angiogram and advanced AI data processing by Caristo in Oxford, is fast becoming the most accurate personalised predictor of a heart attack. Due to radiation protection laws and regulations it is not possible to self refer for a CT scan, however SCVC offers a rapid turnaround and free pre-consultation process which allows those patients over 40 who have sufficient justification for this scan (such as a family history of coronary heart disease or other risk factors such as raised LDL Cholesterol, LP (a) or smoking history to access this type of scan.
For more information on how to apply see https://www.scvc.co.uk/news/world-heart-day-caristo-cash-back-competition-offer/
For more information about the technology see https://www.caristo.com/disease-basics/
For Ts and Cs of the Caristo competition see Caristo WHD – Understand Offer Small Print
March 2024 24/7 SCVC call centre launched
Jan 2024 Free Pre-Consultation service launched
The idea of predicting a heart attack may have once seemed like science fiction, but it is rapidly becoming a reality. With the advent of advanced imaging techniques and artificial intelligence, we are now able to detect the early signs of coronary heart disease and intervene before a heart attack occurs. This represents a major shift in the way we approach cardiovascular care, moving from a reactive model to a proactive one.
Is is increasingly obvious that not everyone with raised coronary inflammation and elevated risk of heart attack simply has a raised LDL Cholesterol- in fact there appears to be a mixed bag of risk factors associated with high coronary artery inflammation, including raised LDL, raised LP (a), raised Homocysteine, hypertension and dysregulated glucose. Our metabolic health assessment is therefore designed to offer a comprehensive dive into known contributory causes, the latest and most controversial of which is 'glucose dysregulation', the principle topic of this article.
For patients who have been diagnosed with an acute coronary syndrome, requiring bypass surgery or stent, or have CT Angiography and or raised FAI, the latest European and UK guidelines reflect the finding that there is no lower limit for LDL yet discovered, basically meaning the lower the better. These recommendations come after new trials with lower targets showed better outcomes. As a result, millions of people around the world need to be looking more carefully at whether they are taking sufficient medication to lower their LDL to these new targets, for the very best outcomes to be achieved.
Ultimately, the approach to cardiac CT screening is highly individualized, reflecting the diverse presentations and risk factors among patients. By employing a sophisticated pre-consultation process, cardiologists can tailor their assessment and management plans to best suit each patient's unique needs, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of cardiac care.
There are two main reasons left atrial thrombus forms then detaches to cause embolic stroke. The first is that during atrial fibrillation or flutter, a thrombus may develop in the left atrial appendage, which does not move as much as it does when in sinus rhythm. The likelihood of this occurring in any given year is low, correlated to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. The second reason is not related to CHA2DS2-VASc score
The medical understanding of a "heart attack" can sometimes diverge from the layperson's perception. Many people interpret a heart attack as any acute, potentially fatal cardiac event, regardless of its cause. This discrepancy necessitates a deeper exploration of heart attack causes unrelated to coronary artery disease, particularly for understanding familial risks and discussing preventative measures like statins.
Since 2016, cardiologists have been utilising the HeartFlow Analysis in conjunction with cardiac CT scans to enhance the accuracy and predictive value of noninvasive coronary imaging. This technology allows many patients to avoid unnecessary invasive angiography, reducing the associated risks and stress.
We have designed a package of core tests, largely funded by the employer, where the employee attends our one stop clinical diagnostic centre (CDC) to have advanced health screening. These packages go way above and beyond what is offered in any of the standard available health screening packages available at general screening services elsewhere, with the possible exception of some very exclusive executive programs, affordable by few.