Ennie Hickman didn’t have chest pain or shortness of breath. He was simply preparing for a long-awaited hip replacement to relieve severe pain that made it difficult to walk. During his routine pre-operative testing, a CT scan revealed a high coronary calcium score, a potential warning sign of coronary artery disease.
Because of the elevated score, Hickman was told he needed cardiac clearance before surgery. Dr. Michael Hust, an interventional cardiologist at Cypress Cardiovascular Institute, quickly scheduled a follow-up appointment. This set Hickman up on a fast track to evaluation and treatment.
That elevated number came from a calcium score test, also called a coronary calcium scan. This is a specialized CT scan that looks for calcium buildup in the coronary arteries. Because calcium can be an early sign of plaque, a high score may signal the risk of heart attack, even in people without obvious symptoms.
“Mr. Hickman’s experience highlights the value of early detection for some patients,” said Dr. Hust. “Heart disease can develop even when symptoms aren’t obvious. Coronary calcium scoring can help identify risk earlier for some patients. Through teamwork and patient-centered care, we were able to identify and treat a significant blockage before it caused more serious complications and get Mr. Hickman the therapy he needed to get back to what he loves most, his family.”
Dr. Hust recommended further evaluation. Hickman soon underwent a coronary angioplasty. During the procedure, Dr. Hust found a significant blockage and placed a stent.
“I didn’t feel like anything was wrong with my heart,” Hickman said. “If it hadn’t been for that calcium score test, I might never have known.”
After the procedure, Hickman went home to recover. Six months later, he was able to move forward with his hip replacement.
Today, Hickman walks 10,000 steps a day, something that hadn’t been possible for years. He’s back to hiking and golfing with family and friends.