The Heart of the Matter

by Dr. Kyle Chavers, MD, IFMCP

Learn more about our CIMT Testing

February is Heart Health month and we would love to share with you a few risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the many benefits of getting a Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) test. We believe in treating cardiovascular disease through the evaluation of lifestyle, advanced lipid studies, and inflammatory markers to comprehensively address the root of this disease.

Are you at risk for cardiovascular disease?

We recommend you consider our CIMT testing if you have the following risk factors:

• You are Overweight or Obese
  
• Family history of heart disease
  
• High blood pressure or Cholesterol
  
• Diabetes
  
• Men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 50
  
• A history of smoking
  
• Autoimmune disease
  
• Eat only a Standard American diet

One of the best ways to determine your actual risk requires looking at the blood vessels themselves. A carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) test is an American Heart Association (AHA) approved method to determine that risk.

• No harmful radiation – it is completely noninvasive
  
• Far more sensitive than the conventional carotid ultrasound
  
• Provides the earliest evidence of the origins of atherosclerosis and also has the advantage of being used as a benchmark

This test can be used as a baseline to assess your overall vascular health, and can be used to track the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications, diet, supplements, and medications on vascular inflammation.

Our next in office CIMT date is coming up on March 24th. Contact our office to schedule an appointment at 850-269-9000.