India, July 30 -- Heart CT scans can be highly effective when used for the right patients, but should not be regarded as a routine screening test for everyone, said Dr Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology at AIIMS Delhi. He explained that CT coronary angiography provides detailed images of the arteries supplying blood to the heart, helping detect narrowing or blockages. However, unnecessary use can cause anxiety and lead to avoidable investigations or procedures. "Heart CT is an excellent test, but it is not meant for everyone," he said, stressing that it is most appropriate for people with symptoms such as chest pain or when coronary artery disease is suspected. The decision to undergo the scan should be guided by symptoms and overall cardiovascular risk rather than its inclusion in a health package. Dr Roy cited the FACTOR-64 study, involving high-risk patients with diabetes, which found that although CT scans detected more blocked arteries, they did not reduce heart attacks or deaths compared with standard care. Most stable heart disease patients respond well to medicines and lifestyle changes; prevention depends on healthy habits.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.