Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk for heart disease. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms. A lack of symptoms, however, doesn’t mean that heart disease is undetectable. On the contrary, early detection of heart disease leads to the best outcomes for patients, ensuring that your treatment plan begins with a proactive conversation with a cardiologist and not a trip to the Emergency Room. That’s why the CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute created the HeartSmart Screening Program.



The HeartSmart Screening Program at CHI St. Vincent is able to detect early signs of heart disease, even if a patient is not currently experiencing symptoms, by combining a series of tests for advanced detection of cardiovascular health risks into a single visit.

The goal is simple. “We are trying to catch people early before they have major problems,” said CHI St. Vincent Cardiologist Dr. Charles Clogston.

These are non-invasive basic tests with more advanced screenings like a Heart Attack Risk Assessment (ASCVD), Electrocardiography (EKG/ECG), Cardiac Calcium Scoring CT Scan and others that can be completed in less than an hour. Combined together, the tests provide the patient with a comprehensive picture of their cardiovascular health and an indication if they need further care.

As part of an effort to raise awareness of and detect heart disease long before it requires a visit to the Emergency Room, the CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute has designed the HeartSmart Screening Program to be affordable whether or not someone has health insurance. That helps to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to take control of their own heart health. To learn more about advanced heart disease screening and other resources, visit: chistvincent.com/heart