New Program with Montclair Radiology and Mecca Integrated to Offer Cops Free, Non-Invasive Cardiac Calcium Scoring

Montclair Radiology joins forces with Fairfield Police & Mecca Integrated Medical to Scan Officers for Heart Issues Before They Occur

From left to right: Michele Weintraub of Montclair Radiology, Fairfield Police Captain Chris Morgan and Tara Ceragno, Medical Assistant for Mecca Integrated Medical Dr. Dena Lacara.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AT THE FAIRFIELD POLICE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT: Fairfield Police Detective Jeffrey Didyk and Fairfield Police Detective Robert Sanger.
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Diane Lilli
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At the National Night Out in Fairfield, the temperatures were close to 95 and the police officers were working hard to direct traffic, pedestrians, and keep the event a safe, upbeat occasion. Fairfield Police Chief Anthony G. Manna, who championed the life saving program with Montclair Radiology and Mecca Integrated Medical, was happy to also get submerged in the Dunk Tank. As the sounds of children playing and the splash of water accompanied by laughter echoed throughout the event, it was obvious that this program is the beginning of something important for both police officers and citizens - since after all, the two are always intimately connected. Every police officer is a son, a daughter, a sister, a brother, or a parent.

Every day, police officers face the possibility of death. From routine traffic stops or accidents to dealing with hardened criminals, our men and women in blue face stressful situations routinely. No matter where they work, police officers are under a great amount of stress that can result in serious injury or sudden death.  But the most startling deadly statistic facing police officers today may not be simply the direct result of crime, and instead, the damage being done to officers’ once-healthy hearts due to stress.

 The Harvard School of Public Health and the Cambridge Health Alliance report police officers have a 30 – 70 higher times’ risk of experiencing “sudden cardiac death when they are in stressful situations”. In the U.S., heart attacks rank in the top causes of deaths of cops, and 10 percent of all on-duty deaths are caused by sudden cardiac deaths annually. A report by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) reported the life expectancy of police officers is 20 years less than that of civilians.

Montclair Radiology, with locations in West Caldwell, Montclair, Nutley, Verona and Jersey City, is rolling out a model program beginning in Fairfield aimed at helping save police officers’ lives by offering possibly life-saving Cardiac Scoring tests. The debut of this initiative was launched in Fairfield, New Jersey, on National Night Out, August 1, 2017. Plans are underway to share this program in other towns’ police departments as well. Joining Montclair Radiology at the event and in the program is Mecca Integrated Medical in Fairfield, who will do the blood tests and lab work for the police officers.

Montclair Radiology is offering all Fairfield Police Officers Cardiac Calcium Scoring CT, a free test for Cardiac Imaging, which is an Ultra-low dose CT and can offer incredibly detailed images of the heart. Technology has come a long way, and now doctors can actually check out your heart using this fast, non-invasive CT scan that also has less radiation.
 
A cardiac imaging CT scan takes pictures of the soft tissue of your heart, allowing your doctor to see the various parts and determine how well they are functioning. Cardiac imaging CT scans are used to diagnose a wide variety of cardiac conditions including calcium buildup in your blood vessels.

As with all CT scans, people are exposed to a small dose of radiation during the imaging test; however, this CT scan gives your doctor crucial information about each person’s cardiac health. Montclair Radiology always uses the lowest dose of radiation possible in their CT scans to keep patients safe and healthy during imaging.

At the National Night Out in Fairfield, the temperatures were close to 95 and the police officers were working hard to direct traffic, pedestrians, and keep the event a safe, upbeat occasion. Fairfield Police Chief Anthony G. Manna, who championed the life saving program with Montclair Radiology and Mecca Integrated Medical, was happy to also get submerged in the Dunk Tank. As the sounds of children playing and the splash of water accompanied by laughter echoed throughout the event, it was obvious that this program is the beginning of something important for both police officers and citizens - since after all, the two are always intimately connected. Every police officer is a son, a daughter, a sister, a brother, or a parent.

In Fairfield, this new initiative is beginning with plans to expand.

Updates to follow.


Interesting facts published by the Cambridge Health Alliance Include:


The study found the risk of sudden cardiac death for police officers was 34 to 69 times higher during restraints or altercations; 32 to 51 times higher during pursuits; 20 to 23 times higher during physical training; and six to nine times higher during medical or rescue operations compared with the risks during routine or nonemergency activities.

If you would like to have the Calcium Scoring test, click here or call 973.661.4674.