The CardioSound Program
a preventive healthcare program that actually prevents events
Most people find out they have a problem when they have an event. But 30% of first events are lethal (1).
Cardiovascular disease is a relentlessly progressive disease. In order to stop it in its tracks and reverse it, we must be relentlessly aggressive in our approach. We must leave no stone un-turned.
Some people would rather not know. Some are not willing to invest in blood tests or technology not covered by their health insurance company. Some, once they do know their risk, are not willing to go through an intense prevention program requiring lots of blood testing and high level lifestyle accountability. This is not the program for them.
After 5 years in our program, one of our high risk patients tells his story here.
Comprehensive risk assessment Screening:
Our goal is to identify and reverse atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries before a heart attack or stroke. Our comprehensive screening system looks directly at the arteries to get an accurate picture of someone's risk for a CV event. This is unlike a stress test, which is designed for people with chest pain, in order to determine whether a surgical procedure is needed. The CardioSound screening process identifies people who are at risk, but don't know it yet, by looking for artery disease in people who have no symptoms.
EFFECTIVE preventive healthcare:
Ask any doctor if he or she practices preventive healthcare. Every one will answer, "yes, of course." Ask if the doctor feels comfortable taking care of patients who have had heart attacks. And then ask how many heart attacks and strokes they see in that practice in a typical year. These questions can give an indication of how successful a medical practice is at prevention. Or not.
A heart attack or a stroke or a stent procedure is evidence that your plaque is getting worse and your prevention program just isn't working for you. Find a prevention program that works.
We identify your unique genetic makeup, map your risk factors, develop a personalized therapeutic strategy, and pursue aggressive therapy of every single risk factor.
EFFICIENT FOLLOW-UP:
We utilize blood test bio-markers to track progress toward genetically defined targets.
Our "Ask the Arteries" trending program, developed by Dr. Hight, can actually see the artery disease getting better or getting worse. From the arteries, we get actionable clinical data. Initial treatment strategies are then re-adjusted accordingly.
PEACE OF MIND:
Many gain a false sense of security from having a normal stress test, a normal cholesterol result, or a normal CV risk calculation. (See CV Disease)
At CardioSound, we specialize in people who've had heart attacks or strokes, stents or bypass. We specialize in treating those who are getting worse in spite of treatment. We also screen those with a positive family history of heart disease who want to identify problems and stratify their own risk.
Are you getting better? Or worse?
Our Ask the Arteries screening test requires two ultrasound tests of multiple arteries, each performed three months apart. We test more arteries than anyone on the planet. What you get is a 3 month window of trending. Know your arteries.
For those who have severe plaque, effective therapy usually requires several years of hard work. Plaque does not develop overnight.
The CardioSound program is most intense during the first and second years. Graduating to the maintenance program requires reduction in 10 year event risk to less than 6%. And then we will celebrate with you the fact that you've earned something extremely valuable.
Lasting peace of mind comes from knowing your arteries are clean.
references
Roger VL, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2012 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2012;125(1):e2-220.