One in four deaths is caused by coronary artery disease, making it the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Coronary artery disease occurs when fat deposits restrict the blood flow to and from the heart, which could lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is on the cutting edge of technological and clinical innovations to address many medical concerns, including coronary artery disease.

“We are seeing an epidemic now," said Spartanburg Regional cardiologist Dr. Joe Mobley. "I see plaque in patients over 50 years old more frequently than I don’t.”

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) has allowed for earlier detection of blockages and plaque build-up before a disease has significantly progressed.

This specialized CT scan involves noninvasive 3D imaging that identifies plaque build-up that has blocked 30-40% of an artery. There are more ways to treat the disease and alter someone's health habits before they are at risk of heart failure. The scanning technology has only been in use for the past decade.

Spartanburg Medical Center began using the specialized equipment earlier this year and plans to expand the service to Pelham Medical Center in the near future.

Dr. Mobley said the 30-40% plaque build-up cases need to be looked at more closely because they can develop into severe blockages five years down the road. Early detection allows patients to be more aggressive with treatment and lifestyle changes.

This difference has significantly impacted the patient population, allowing men and women to seek treatment much earlier.

The American Heart Association calls the CCTA procedure the "gold standard" method for showing blockages in coronary arteries.

Technological advancements aim to make the CCTA scan a first-line evaluation technique to get answers faster so patients can know whether they have blockages forming.

Patients can schedule CCTA scans through Spartanburg Regional's Cardiology Division, but Dr. Mobley envisions a time soon when a patient's primary care provider will be able to order the scan without needing to be referred to a cardiologist.

Dr. Mobley always tells patients to focus on preventative care to stay heart healthy and work toward being free from plaque build-up and blockages.

"It starts early in life with a reasonable diet, not smoking and watching those risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity," Dr. Mobley said. "Certain levels of stress are also a component to that."

He said staying active and maintaining a healthy diet are always the best ways to help diminish the rate of coronary artery disease.

To learn more about our award-winning heart care, go to SpartanburgRegional.com/Heart-Services.