Dr. Curtis P. Schworm is President of Midwest EBT Cardiac Imaging which utilizes a high-tech heat scanner, below, to scan for evidence of calcification in the arteries of the heart.
You wouldn't expect to find first-of-its-kind, cutting-edge medical technology in a strip mall in Johnson County. But Kansas City's latest high-tech heart scanner is, by design, located in the heart of baby boomer country, Overland Park. Health conscious baby boomer consumers now have drive-up access to a new health care tool in controlling their destiny. It's Midwest EBT Cardiac Imaging, or Heartscan, which is in the business of preventing heart attacks. This cardiac imaging device scans the heart for evidence of calcification in the arteries of the heart; an indication of artery clogging plaque. "If you can detect heart disease at an early stage and treat it," said Midwest EBT physician, Dr. Curtis Schworm, "Why would you want to wait for 'the big one?'"
Heartscan is a consumer friendly technology for those entering middle age with worries about heart disease. Dr. Schworm recommends the test for men over 40 and women over 50, especially those with a family history of heart disease. This non-invasive procedure requires a physician referral, takes about ten minutes, and involves no needles. Almost instantaneously, the EBT (electron beam tomography) creates a picture of the heart on a computer screen. Consumers, with the aid of a technician, can see for themselves whether they have any of the calcium crust that forms on plaque. The results of the test are forwarded to the patient's personal physician for assessment and follow-up care. But early detection is the key. Patients with heart disease exhibit their first symptoms in one of three ways: chest pain, non-fatal heart attacks and fatal heart attacks. "With cardiac disease, the first symptom is bad," Schworm said. "Now with advances in medication, we can take steps to eliminate the plaque."
At first glance, Schworm looks like a kindly, country doctor. His soft-spoke manner belies his medical business entrepreneur experience. Dr. Schworm pulled five investors together, four doctors and a businessman, in order to bring this two million dollar piece of technology to Kansas City. That high price tag explains why only 50 of these scanners are in operation in the United States. Kansas City's scanner is the only one between Denver and Chicago. Schworm believes the demand for this futuristic technology is now, since 25 percent to 30 percent of the population is at risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association backs that up with facts that heart disease is the leading cause of death today.
Dr. Schworm opened the doors of Midwest EBT Cardiac Imaging in November. Right away, he began informing area doctors that the technology is here and began educating consumers on the benefits of detecting and managing heart disease. Since then, about 100 patients a month, including some of Kansas City's most prominent citizens, have shown up for their heartscan. Dr. Schworm is betting those numbers will continue to increase.
Dr. Schworm said his greatest challenge is getting the insurance companies on board. The scan costs $495.00, but it's not always covered by insurance. Emphasizing prevention has been a tough sell to insurance companies that typically want to see symptoms before they pay for a diagnostic test. Dr. Schworm is convinced the cost figures will ultimately bring the insurance companies around. "Even the financial people will eventually figure out it's less expensive to do heartscans than pay for an $80,000 bypass down the road." Schworm points out that mammography met similar kinds of resistance when it was introduced and now it's law. But proactive health care consumers aren't waiting on insurance companies or legislation, many seem willing to do business now with Midwest EBT Cardiac Imaging.
Dr. Schworm is President of Midwest EBT Cardiac Imaging at 913-469-5958 or log on to the Web at www.midwestcardiac.com
Ventures