BrookingsHeart™ Screenings Help Patients Understand Cardiovascular Risks

  • September 19, 2023
CT Technologist Jayme Bloch prepares a patient for coronary artery calcium testing, one of the tests used as part of BrookingsHeart™ cardiovascular screenings. The new BrookingsHeart screenings help patients understand their risk for diseases like heart attack or stroke. It is recommended for men aged 40 and over and women aged 45 and over or those who have a strong family history of heart disease.
CT Technologist Jayme Bloch prepares a patient for coronary artery calcium testing, one of the tests used as part of BrookingsHeart™ cardiovascular screenings. The new BrookingsHeart screenings help patients understand their risk for diseases like heart attack or stroke. It is recommended for men aged 40 and over and women aged 45 and over or those who have a strong family history of heart disease.

Today Brookings Health System launched a new heart and vascular screening service, BrookingsHeart™.

“One in four adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women,” said Director of Imaging and Respiratory Services Nicole Winseman. “Heart and vascular screenings like BrookingsHeart™ help patients understand their risk for diseases like heart attack and stroke.”

Through BrookingsHeart, patients may have a heart screening ($50), vascular screening ($50), and full lipid panel cholesterol check ($50). Because the screenings are not typically covered by insurance, patients will need to pay out-of-pocket. BrookingsHeart cardiovascular screening is recommended for men ages 40 and older, women ages 45 and older, or individuals with a strong family history of heart disease. Each screening includes:

Heart Screening

  • CT Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Test
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Mass Index (BMI)

Vascular Screening

  • Carotid Artery Ultrasound Screening
  • Aortic Aneurysm Ultrasound Screening
  • Ankle Brachial Screen to detect Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Full Lipid Panel Cholesterol Check

  • Total Cholesterol
  • LDL Cholesterol
  • HDL Cholesterol
  • Triglycerides

Upon screening completion, an educator will review results with the patient. Education includes comparisons of the participant’s results to moderate or high-risk factors, stress management, physical activity, nutrition counseling and tobacco cessation (as needed). Results will be given to the patient. It is the patient’s responsibility to initiate follow-up examination with their primary care provider to confirm the results and to obtain advice and treatment.

No referral is required for BrookingsHeart screenings. Patients may schedule a BrookingsHeart screening time by calling Brookings Health System at (605) 696-8888.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.