If you have chest pain, shortness of breath or other symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD), your doctor may recommend a computerized tomography (CT) scan and other types of tests to determine whether there’s narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries leading to your heart.
HeartFlow, a new advanced diagnostic tool, allows your doctor to even better assess your arteries.
What is HeartFlow?
CAD is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It develops when the arteries leading to the heart narrow or become blocked, which may lead to a reduction in blood flow to the heart, causing chest pain, heart attacks and death. Despite being the most common form of heart disease, many of the non-invasive tests available today — such as stress testing — have low accuracy rates in detecting the disease.
Main Line Health is advancing the diagnosis of CAD with the HeartFlow Analysis. This non-invasive heart test provides a personalized 3D model of your coronary arteries that shows how each blockage impacts blood flow to your heart. This detailed information, which was previously only available through an invasive procedure, helps your doctor determine the next step in your treatment plan.
Main Line Health was the first health system in the region to offer this state-of-the-art diagnostic testing option.
What to expect from cardiac catheterization
Your doctor will order a coronary CT scan to look for blockages. If additional information is needed, your doctor may order a HeartFlow Analysis, which doesn’t require another appointment and there’s no additional risk to you.
Using your CT scan, HeartFlow technology creates a personalized digital 3D model of your coronary arteries. With trained specialists and powerful computer algorithms, the HeartFlow Analysis calculates how much each blockage limits your blood flow.
Your doctor receives a digital, color-coded 3D model of your coronary arteries, which helps you and your doctor determine the next step in your treatment plan.
Benefits of HeartFlow technology
HeartFlow technology provides a more detailed view of the significance of your coronary artery blockage than a standard coronary CT scan and helps your doctor better determine the appropriate treatment of care.
It’s non-invasive, poses no additional risk to you and reduces the need for follow-up testing and evaluation.
Next steps for patient
If you’d like to meet with a provider and find the best care options, it’s time to reach out to Main Line Health. Schedule a visit with a specialist today.
Call 1.866.CALL.MLH (1.866.225.5654) or request an appointment online.
Heart care at Main Line Health
Our specialists provide the latest technological advancements with expertise and compassion — working to find the best possible treatment while prioritizing your comfort and peace of mind throughout the care journey. When receiving care at Main Line Health, you’ll be treated by the region’s most trusted team of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons in one of the top-performing cardiovascular programs.
At Main Line Health, you’ll have access to:
- Excellence in cardiological care — including treatment for serious cardiovascular issues, at locations that are close to home and easy to access.
- Physicians near you — who provide a full range of general and specialized cardiovascular services, from minimally invasive to more complex surgical treatments.
- Main Line Health's Philadelphia area hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — offer comprehensive cardiovascular services to meet your needs and those of your family.
