ArterioVision™ CIMT Test:
How Old Are Your Arteries?

Quick, Painless Test to Assess Vascular Health

The University of Chicago Medicine offers a safe, painless, FDA-approved test that can quickly screen for and monitor atherosclerosis--the underlying cause of heart attack and stroke. The ArterioVision™ Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) test can provide a direct measurement of vascular disease, even in its earliest stages before it causes symptoms or starts to block blood flow. The ArterioVision CIMT test also provides an estimate of how "old" your blood vessels are in comparison to your actual age.

Armed with your CIMT score, you and your physician can determine the best action plan to either:

• Reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke
• Maintain your healthy heart
• Reverse existing hardening of the arteries and decrease the risk for a second heart attack, stroke, or other cardiac event

Heart disease is the number one killer of American men and women. The majority of people who unexpectedly die of heart disease experience no prior symptoms of the disease.

How Does the ArterioVision CIMT Test Work?

The ArterioVision CIMT test uses ultrasound technology to measure the thickness of the first two layers of the carotid artery located in the neck, where blood-flow-blocking plaque first develops. Thickness of the artery wall is an early indicator of vascular disease. The thicker the arterial wall, the greater the risk for heart attack or stroke.

The test is a simple, noninvasive, 15-20 minute outpatient procedure that involves no injections, no pills, and exposes you to no radiation. The test uses sophisticated ultrasound equipment and requires expert interpretation, so it's not widely available.

How Old Are Your Arteries?

You may be 55 in calendar years, but are your arteries as young as you feel? One special feature of the ArterioVision™ CIMT test is a report you will receive that compares your CIMT results with others of your age and gender, that includes a comparison of your risk for heart attack or coronary death to others of your age or gender.

Early Detection Can Lead to Early Intervention

It's never too late to reduce your risk for heart attack or stroke. You and your physician can use the results of your CIMT test, in combination with your traditional cardiac risk factors, to create a customized heart-health action plan that may include suggestions for lifestyle modifications or specific treatments. Follow-up CIMT testing can track your progress as you work to reduce your risk.

Who Should Have an ArterioVision CIMT Test?

The AterioVision CIMT test is most appropriate for individuals who are at risk for heart disease based on traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Such individuals are typically over 40 years of age and have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Family history of heart disease/stroke
• Tobacco user
• High blood pressure
• High LDL--"bad" cholesterol
• Low HDL--"good" cholesterol
• Elevated triglycerides
• Metabolic syndrome

Is the ArterioVision CIMT Test Covered by Health Insurance? How Much Does It Cost?

To date, Medicare and most private insurance do not routinely pay for CIMT testing. Yet, ArterioVision CIMT is a safe, FDA-approved test that is recognized as a valid means for detecting subclinical vascular disease to assess risk for heart disease.

At the University of Chicago Medicine, we offer ArterioVision CIMT testing and interpretation at the reasonable cost of $339.

Appointments

Request an ArterioVision CIMT appointment online, or call (773) 702-9461 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.