When it comes to heart health, knowledge is power.
For Thomas Pfaus, a filmmaker from southern Germany, this knowledge was more than just data – it was a lifeline.
With a family history marked by cardiovascular disease (CVD), Thomas knew he was at high risk. His father died of sudden cardiac arrest at age 54, and his mother suffered several heart attacks before passing away in her 80s. As he approached his 50th birthday, Thomas, a father of three, wanted to understand his own heart health better.
Thomas's journey began with a personal tragedy that profoundly impacted his life. "I was 22 years old when my father died of a sudden cardiac arrest. I was working as an EMT at the time and was right there when it happened. It was a moment that changed my life," he recalls. This experience, coupled with his family's medical history, made Thomas acutely aware of his own health risks.
Despite leading a healthy lifestyle and taking medication for high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, Thomas couldn't shake the fear of following in his father's footsteps.
"I didn't want to end up like my father and leave my family alone. I wanted to know about my veins and arteries, and whether or not I had any plaque. I wanted to know the status of my heart," he explains.
Thomas found his answer in cardiac CT angiography (CCTA), an imaging-based diagnostic solution that has emerged as a less invasive, cost-effective way to identify cardiovascular disease (CVD), diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease.
In recent years, CCTA has become a popular, efficient, and effective method for diagnosing and monitoring coronary artery disease (CAD) – the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for an estimated 17.9 million deaths annually as of 2019, with projections rising to over 23 million by 2030. Many patients with CAD undergo unnecessary invasive procedures like catheterization.
CCTA offers a less invasive, cost-effective alternative for identifying coronary artery disease and managing cardiovascular disease. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends CCTA as the first-line investigation for all patients with chest pain due to suspected CAD. Its low cost and high sensitivity make it the preferred non-invasive choice for evaluating stable angina. Additionally, incorporating cardiac CT into chest pain pathways has been shown to improve diagnostic certainty.
After learning of this diagnostic option – and hearing numerous radiologists praise GE HealthCare CT system’s capabilities – Thomas knew the technology was the key to gaining the insights he needed.
"This kind of fast, non-invasive scan wasn't possible before. Other modalities like ultrasound would just show the surface of the heart and not inside the arteries," Thomas says.
The process for Thomas was straightforward and quick. "You get an IV with contrast media, and 10 minutes later, you're done. All you have to do is wait for the report, and then you know the status of your heart," Thomas describes. The results showed that he had some plaque in his arteries, but nothing to be overly concerned about. "Now I know what I have to do for my heart health," he adds.
For Thomas, CCTA provided more than just a diagnosis – it offered peace of mind. "I'm happy that technology like this has improved and is available to help me and my family. It's a great opportunity to get this exam," he says. Knowing his heart's condition has allowed Thomas to take proactive steps to manage his health and continue being there for his family.
Thomas's story is a testament to the power of advanced medical technology in transforming lives. By providing fast, accurate, and non-invasive cardiac imaging, CCTA has given Thomas the knowledge he needs to take control of his heart health and live with confidence.
