FAQ CIPA-SCAN

What are the benefits of the CIPA-SCAN™?
The CIPA-SCAN™ can uncover cardiovascular problems even in the very
early stages; before irreversible damage such as heart attack, stroke or
peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has occurred.

Why should I have a CIPA-SCAN™?
1. Heart disease is the #1 killer of American men and women claiming
more lives than cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, accidents and
diabetes combined.
2. The majority of people who die suddenly of heart disease have no prior
symptoms.
3. Stroke is the third leading killer in the United States and the #1 cause of
nursing home admissions.
4. In 20 minutes we can help you avoid a heart attack, a stroke or
peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

What is the CIPA-SCAN™?
The CIPA-SCAN™ is three separate tests that will evaluate your
cardiovascular risk starting with the carotid arteries in your neck and moving
all the way down to your ankles. We use ultrasound, radio-frequency,
advanced image enhancing techniques and FDA approved software to
produce the test results. The test results are then interpreted by our
physician and put in “everyday language”. (please note that this is not the
same as a regular carotid ultrasound).

Who should have a CIPA-SCAN™?
The CIPA-SCAN™ is for people age 40 and above without any known
cardiovascular disease. It is particularly important for individuals with:
• Family history of heart disease.
• Cholesterol disorders.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• A history of smoking.

Does it hurt?
No. The CIPA-SCAN™ is painless.

Is it safe?
Yes. The CIPA-SCAN™ is completely non-invasive and does not involve
any radiation.

What does CIPA mean?
CIPA is an abbreviation of the three tests performed;
CI - carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT),
P - plaque detection and
A - ankle brachial index.

Is this something new?
Yes and no. The plaque detection and ankle brachial index tests are not
new. The CIMT test has been used in research studies for over 18 years,
but has only recently become available for use in an office setting. The
combination of the three tests is uncommon but gives you insight to your
risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - at a
much lower cost than if you had each test separately.

Is it a clinically proven method?
Yes. There are numerous articles published in all the major medical
journals such as; JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet,
Circulation, Stroke, American Journal of Cardiology and Annals of Internal
Medicine. The articles report results from large clinical trials where
thousands of people were tested.

What does the American Heart Association say about the new CIMT
test that is part of the CIPA-SCAN™?
The American Heart Association is recommending it as does the
American College of Cardiology. At the American Heart Association
Prevention Conference-V they issued the following statement on CIMT.
“Carotid artery B-mode ultrasound imaging is a safe, noninvasive, and
relatively inexpensive means of assessing subclinical atherosclerosis. The
technique can measure CIMT, an operational measure of atherosclerosis,
in a valid and reliable manner. The severity of carotid CIMT is an independent
predictor of transient cerebral ischemia, stroke, and coronary events such
as myocardial infarction."

Wouldn’t it be better for me to have one of the “bigger” studies done,
such as a stress test or an angiogram?
More than two-thirds of heart attacks occur in arteries that are less than
50% narrowed by plaque buildup. Those are often too small to show up on
an angiogram, during a stress test or even cause much chest pain. The
CIPA-SCAN™ can find problems even before your arteries begin to have
plaque build-up.

Wouldn’t it be better for me to go to the cardiologist?
By the time you are referred to the cardiologist it is already “sick-care”.
The CIPA-SCAN™ makes it possible to catch disease early before any
damage has been done. This is “health-care” at its best.

How much does a CIPA-SCAN™ cost?
The cost is $295.