Opportunistic screening finds coronary artery disease

Summary: Did you know a routine scan for your lungs could actually save your heart? Doctors are now using low-dose CT scans—originally meant to check for lung cancer in smokers—to spot heart disease early. This is called "opportunistic screening." These scans can easily see calcium buildup in your arteries, which is a major warning sign for heart attacks.

Even better, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is stepping in to help doctors read these scans quickly and accurately. This means patients can get life-saving treatments, like cholesterol medicine, before they ever feel a single symptom. It’s like going to the bakery and getting a free 13th donut, but instead, you get a bonus checkup that could save your life!

For more details, see KevinMD at kevinmd.com/2026/05/opportunistic-screening-finds-coronary-artery-disease.html (opens in new tab)