Howie Duncan, a 69-year-old co-owner of Suburpia, a beloved Milwaukee sandwich shop with over 50 years of history, owes his life to a proactive health decision. As a colon cancer survivor, Duncan diligently attended annual checkups at Aurora Medical Center – Burlington. During his routine visit in April 2024, a simple sign advertising a $49 heart scan caught his eye. On a spontaneous decision that would prove life-altering, he opted for the screening.
This affordable heart scan is designed to assess an individual’s risk of heart disease through a calcium scoring test. The test quantifies the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, providing a clear indication of potential heart disease risk. Elevated calcium scores often necessitate early medical intervention to mitigate the risk of heart attack and other cardiac events.
Duncan’s heart scan results revealed not only high cholesterol but also a startlingly high calcium score. While a normal to moderate calcium score ranges from 0 to 300, Duncan’s result was an alarming 1,583. This dramatically elevated score signaled a severe risk of heart disease and the urgent need for specialist intervention.
He was promptly referred to Dr. Robert Richmond, a cardiologist, and the expert cardiology team at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. Further comprehensive testing confirmed a critical 90% blockage in Duncan’s heart. Due to the severity of the blockage, the cardiology team determined that stents would be insufficient and recommended coronary bypass surgery to alleviate the dangerous strain on Duncan’s heart.
Within days of his initial $49 heart scan at Aurora Health Care, Duncan underwent successful coronary bypass surgery performed by Dr. William Fischer. His recovery was swift and positive. After just five days in the hospital, Duncan was discharged and returned home, and remarkably, he is back working in his restaurant, has enjoyed a European vacation, and has made a full return to his active life.
“Heart scans are a vital tool for the early detection of heart disease, potential heart attacks, and other life-threatening cardiac conditions,” emphasizes Dr. Fischer. “Witnessing Howie’s complete recovery and his return to the activities he loves truly highlights the life-saving impact of our team’s work and the importance of preventative heart care.”
Grateful for this second chance, Duncan has become a passionate advocate for heart health awareness and the Aurora Health Care Heart Scan. “I urge everyone I meet to get a heart scan,” Duncan shares. “I genuinely believe this scan added 25 years to my life, allowing me to look forward to a long and healthy future with my wife.”
Taking proactive steps is crucial for improving heart health. Lifestyle adjustments such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, stress management, and abstaining from tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption are all effective in reducing the risk factors associated with heart disease.
Aurora Health Care recommends heart scans for individuals aged 35 and over who have not been previously diagnosed with heart disease and do not have a pacemaker. Additionally, individuals should have at least two of the following heart disease risk factors:
- Male over 45 years old
- Female over 55 years old
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Smoking history
- Physical inactivity
Learn more about the $49 heart scan at Advocate Health in Illinois or Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin. Assess your heart disease risk by taking this free online quiz.
