He Believed His Heart Was Healthy Until a Scan Revealed a Hidden Threat

When Chris Abrunzo was in his early twenties, his father had a catastrophic heart attack that left a lasting impression on him. The incident was a wake-up call about the genetic risks of heart disease, prompting Abrunzo to prioritize his own cardiovascular health.

Dedicated to maintaining his health, Abrunzo committed to regular exercise and healthy eating, and kept a close eye on his health with routine exams. Aside from slightly high cholesterol, which he managed with medication, he demonstrated no symptoms of heart disease. However, in 2023, prompted by a friend's suggestion, he opted for a more sophisticated test to non-invasively assess his arterial health.

"I was expecting to hear that everything looked great," Abrunzo shared. "But the scan showed plaque in my arteries that neither echocardiograms nor stress tests had detected, with one section blocked by about 70%."

Substantial artery blockages can lead to heart attacks. The obstruction Abrunzo discovered wasn't in an essential artery but was in a location challenging for surgical intervention. To combat this, Abrunzo enhanced his medication regimen and further refined his diet. Recent checkups revealed a reduced blockage of around 40%, significantly lowering his heart attack risk.

Reflecting on his experience, Abrunzo now 47, remarked, "The scan possibly saved my life, maybe not immediately, but certainly in the years to come."

Understanding Cardiac CT Angiography

Dr. Aeshita Dwivedi, a cardiology expert, compares cardiac CT angiograms to detailed heart scans similar to full-body CAT scans. These scans produce intricate 3D images of the heart and its blood supply, offering insights that conventional stress tests and echocardiograms may miss.

Interventional cardiologist Dr. Tony DeFrance explains that while these common tests typically spot severe artery blockages, they often miss smaller blockages that significantly contribute to heart attacks, highlighting the value of advanced scans like CT angiography.

The Role of Plaque in Heart Health

The scans also identify plaque build-up, composed of cholesterol and other substances, which can lead to artery narrowing. Vulnerable plaques, which can tear or rupture, often forewarn of potential heart attacks, unlike their stable counterparts. Every year, this leads to countless sudden cardiac deaths, DeFrance states.

Making Advanced Cardiac Scans More Accessible

Cardiac CT angiograms have gained traction since their inception in the early 2000s. DeFrance, a pioneer in the field, highlights their increased adoption in recent years as critical evaluation tools, especially for patients experiencing chest discomfort.

For health administrators Kim and Matt Mischo, increasing access to these scans is a personal mission. Matt's seemingly robust health was put to the test when, encouraged by Kim, he underwent the scan, which uncovered impending severe cardiac threats that previous exams had missed.

Grasping the gravity of his condition, Matt sought immediate cardiology advice. He was told of the risk of requiring extensive surgery, but managed to have the blockages cleared through a less invasive procedure, sparking the couple's passion for opening their own diagnostic center.

Since its launch, the Mischo's Clear Heart and Lung Imaging Center has assisted hundreds, uncovering unknown heart conditions in nearly 40% of their patients. DeFrance collaborates with the center to interpret results and tailor treatments.

DeFrance stresses, "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Many cases go undetected under our current approaches, underscoring the necessity for preventive measures and early detection."