New tests available for heart health

February is Heart Health Month and Holistic Heart Doc, Dr. Joel Kahn, discusses some of the latest technology to help diagnose heart disease and risk.

The Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) test was developed to help identify those individuals at higher than conventionally predicted risk for cardiovascular disease.

The test is performed with ultrasound, and measures the thickness of the carotid arteries, which supply the brain.

Endorsed by American College of Cardiology, it detects artery problems early & safely.  

The CIMT costs $250 and is not covered by insurance.  

You may also want to consider TMAO blood test, developed by the Cleveland Clinic.

The test measures levels of TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide), a metabolite derived from gut bacteria, which can powerfully predict future risk for heart attack, stroke, and death in patients who appear otherwise healthy,

TMAO blood test costs about $55.