When West Feliciana Hospital RT (Radiologic Technologist) Misty Metz first encouraged her parents to get a cardiac calcium score screening, she never imagined she’d be saving her father’s life. 

In March of 2019, Misty’s parents—St. Francisville natives Kim and Jeannie Kimball—came to WFH for a heart health screening. What they discovered proved to be quite a wake-up call. 

The Kimballs, who were both age 58 at the time, led active lifestyles. They assumed that the manual labor involved with caring for livestock on their family farm, and maintaining a 120-acre land lease, was keeping them physically fit. 

As part of their heart health assessments, Kim and Jeannie each performed a cardiac stress test. Even with Jeannie’s existing heart condition—she’s had to watch her blood pressure since her late 20s—they both aced it. 

“After I did my stress test, the technician told me I had the heart of a 30-year old,” says Kim.

But even if your body looks and feels like it’s in sound health, it may not necessarily be, as the couple’s calcium scores revealed. Within three months of their screenings, Kim underwent a successful open heart surgery, while Jeannie had had two stents placed in her coronary arteries.

How a Calcium Screening Works

A calcium score screening, aka a coronary calcium scan, is a non-invasive procedure that uses a specialized x-ray test. This test is known as a HeartSaver CT scan, and it measures the level of calcium within your heart’s arteries.

As you age, calcium-containing plaque deposits can build up, causing arterial narrowing or blockage, decreasing blood flow, and weakening your cardiovascular system.

A calcium score screening is the only procedure capable of producing 3D images of the heart. These images allow doctors to detect coronary artery disease far earlier. Even before other symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, are present.

In Kim’s case, while his stress test suggested a heart capable of handling strenuous physical activity, an abnormally high calcium score revealed that his arteries contained significant calcium buildup.

“The test breaks the stereotype for heart disease,” explains Misty, who has worked in the hospital’s imaging department for nearly three years. She and her husband, West Feliciana Parish Council member Justin Metz, reported average scores. 

“It’s like having a good tractor with bad hydraulics,” Kim says. “My heart was strong, but it couldn’t outlast bad pipes.” 

Providing Peace of Mind

Upon receiving his results, Kim consulted a cardiologist who recommended that he undergo triple bypass surgery. The procedure improves blood flow to the heart by using vessels from other parts of the body to bypass blockages.

If he elected not to have the surgery, Kim risked suffering a heart attack later in life. It was a chance he wasn’t willing to take. 

“If it wasn’t for the calcium score, we wouldn’t have ever moved forward with surgery,” says Kim. “For just a five-minute check, this test can give you peace of mind.” 

You can have a complete heart health assessment performed at West Feliciana Hospital for $99. To schedule an appointment, call (225) 635-2443.