When we started Save A Heart, our mission was simple: help people be prepared for the moments no one expects.
Every so often, we receive a story that reminds us exactly why that mission matters.
Recently, one of our customers reached out with a message she hopes every family will hear.
"Ask your family physician about a Coronary Calcium Scan."
It's a simple, five-minute CT scan that can detect calcium buildup in the coronary arteries before it leads to a heart attack. For many people, it can uncover hidden heart disease long before symptoms appear.
Her reason for sharing this recommendation was deeply personal.
Her husband was 58 years old.
He didn't smoke. He didn't drink. He didn't use drugs. He rarely ate processed foods. He spent his retirement gardening, cooking from scratch, and helping neighbours whenever he could.
By all appearances, he was healthy.
Then one ordinary morning, everything changed.
"The day started out like any other," she wrote.
While working in the garden, her husband suddenly began experiencing chest pain. At first, they hoped it would pass. But as the pain worsened, they knew something was seriously wrong.
He reached for a bottle of aspirin but couldn't get the childproof cap open.
Instead, he grabbed his keys.
Attached to them was his Save A Heart aspirin pill fob.
Using one hand, he quickly opened it, chewed the aspirin inside, and they rushed to the hospital.
According to his cardiologist, taking that aspirin before arriving at the hospital may have helped prevent a far more serious cardiac event.
Thankfully, he survived.
Today, he is recovering and slowly getting back to the life he loves.
The experience didn't just change his life.
It changed his entire family's approach to heart health.
After his heart attack, they decided to pay for Coronary Calcium Scans for their siblings.
The results surprised everyone.
Three out of the four siblings were found to have enough plaque buildup that their physicians started them on cholesterol medication and ongoing monitoring.
Without that screening, they may never have known they were at increased risk.
As she told us:
"If my husband could end up with a heart attack that almost took his life, it can happen to anyone."
A Coronary Calcium Scan (also called a CAC scan) is a quick, non-invasive CT scan that measures calcium deposits within the arteries that supply blood to your heart.
The scan itself takes only a few minutes, requires no needles or recovery time, and can help physicians better understand your risk of future heart disease.
It isn't appropriate for everyone, but it may be worth discussing with your doctor—especially if you have risk factors such as:
A family history of heart disease
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Smoking history
Or if you simply want a better understanding of your heart health
Your physician can help determine whether the test is appropriate for you.
At Save A Heart, we often talk about being prepared for an emergency.
But preparedness begins long before an emergency happens.
Knowing your risk. Having conversations with your doctor. Looking after your heart health. And if an emergency does occur, having immediate access to aspirin and calling 911 as quickly as possible.
We're incredibly grateful this family chose to share their story.
If it encourages even one person to have an important conversation with their physician or be better prepared in an emergency, it has already made a difference.
Take a few minutes today to talk to your doctor about your heart health.
It could be one of the most important conversations you ever have.
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Every person's health situation is unique. Please consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider to determine whether a Coronary Calcium Scan or any other screening is appropriate for you.
If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately. If advised by emergency services and if there is no allergy or medical reason to avoid it, chew one regular-strength (325 mg) aspirin while waiting for emergency medical care. Aspirin is not appropriate for every medical emergency, including suspected stroke, and should only be taken when appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
