On an upcoming Western Baptist “HealthBreak,” cardiologist J. Kenneth Ford, M.D., will discuss calcium scoring, a painless screening to detect the amount of plaque in your coronary arteries to see if you are at risk for heart disease.

The screening is now recommended for all atrisk men 40 to 75 and women 50 to 75. Ford said the simple test is a good indicator of a person’s future heart risk.

“Coronary calcium is a marker for atherosclerosis, or cholesterol buildup,” said Ford. “The more calcium you have, the more cholesterol buildup present and the greater your risk of having blockage.”

The scan is the best way to find atherosclerosis before symptoms develop.

See this “HealthBreak” on Tuesday, Dec. 12, on NewsChannel 6 at 6 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Dec. 13, on NewsChannel 6 Today. “HealthBreak” is now available online at westernbaptist.com, with new segments added weekly.

To determine your risk for heart disease, take our online heart risk assessment at westernbaptist.com and see if you qualify for cardiac screenings.