For those of us with a relative who has had a heart attack or stroke, or for those of us who may worry we may be at risk for the same, there is a now a test available to help determine our risk. Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) is an ultrasound protocol that has been around as a research tool for over 20 years and in clinical practice since 2002. This is a simple non-invasive test that takes 10 – 20 minutes and involves measuring the thickness of the two innermost layers of the common carotid artery. The thickness of these two layers has been shown to correlate very well with cardiovascular risk.
You may ask “Who says that this is a good test and why?†Well, The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have recommended this test for those of us with cardiovascular risks. Many research studies have been conducted using this technique. There is an accepted opinion that with CIMT there is a 96% correlation with the amount of disease found in the common carotid artery and with the disease found elsewhere in the body, such as the arteries in the heart and brain. Furthermore, it is equally predictive in men as in women. Large trials following populations with heart disease as well as outcome studies suggest CIMT can be used as a surrogate end point or marker to help predict clinical events such as a heart attack or stroke.
Who should consider getting this test? Any person with a family history of coronary heart disease or heart attack, stroke, tobacco use, high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides or the Metabolic Syndrome may want to consider having this test. Generally, we suggest this test for those of us at risk and over the age of 40. CIMT may also be used monitor life style changes and treatments suggested to modify cardiovascular risk.