Coming Soon! DEXA Scan in Las Vegas: Advanced Imaging for Early Detection

A DEXA scan is an extremely low-dose radiation X-ray that takes measurements of your bone density and the composition of your body, including fat and muscle levels. It is the gold standard for testing both.

Anyone from older adults who may be at risk of osteoporosis or fractures, to high-performance athletes, as well as people who would like to understand more about their health can benefit from the insights the scan provides.

A DEXA scan can show:

• Body fat vs. muscle mass: This provides more insight than a simple number on a scale.
• Visceral fat levels: Visceral fat is particularly harmful fat located around the organs and has been increased cardiovascular risk.
• Bone density: This can help spot problems before they become critical; in particular, the risk of osteoporosis.
• Fat distribution: Understand where fat is distributed around your body and how this may impact health and weight loss.
• Muscle balance: This helps you understand if you may have imbalances that can increase injury risk.

Unlike traditional methods that often involve guesswork, a DEXA scan gives you and your healthcare provider an accurate look at the composition of your bones and body.

Why A DEXA Scan Matters For Your Health

Many diseases and health risks develop without you knowing about them. Osteoporosis, for example, is a disease that can progress with few initial symptoms. A DEXA scan can reveal these risks while there is still time to take action.

Importantly, a DEXA scan does not evaluate for heart disease directly. However, it can identify key risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease — such as elevated visceral fat and unhealthy body composition patterns — which can be valuable information for you and your healthcare provider when assessing your overall health risk.

Osteoporosis affects as many as 1 in 5 people, with significantly higher rates among post-menopausal women — an estimated 30%, or roughly one in three. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. A DEXA scan can give you and your healthcare provider an accurate picture of risk factors for these conditions

Additionally, if you are an athlete and want better metrics of your goals and progress in the gym, a DEXA scan can provide valuable information that can help you train better and understand more about your body.

Who Should Get A DEXA Scan?

A DEXA scan can be beneficial for most adults, especially those focused on health, exercise, disease prevention, and athletic performance.

However, there are some people who may be at greater risk or have greater need for a scan.

This includes:

• Post menopausal women: Because osteoporosis affects as many as one in 10 post-menopausal women, a scan is recommended to test bone density.
• Athletes and fitness enthusiasts: A DEXA scan can give you invaluable insights on training, weight loss, muscle mass, and more.
• Those who are trying to lose weight: A DEXA scan provides invaluable insights on body composition that can help you lose the pounds and keep them off.
• Those with risk factors for heart disease, osteoporosis, and other chronic conditions: A DEXA scan can help you and your medical team identify risks early, so action may be taken.
• Those who want the most accurate health data available: A DEXA scan offers the highest-quality health data available today and eliminates guesswork.

Nearly everyone can benefit from the precise data that a DEXA scan can provide.

Note: DEXA scans are not recommended during pregnancy. Please inform our staff if you are or may be pregnant before scheduling.

What To Expect During Your DEXA Scan

Perhaps the best feature of a DEXA scan is that it is quick, absolutely painless, and non-invasive. Preventative Diagnostic Center also offers quick appointments, accurate readings, and certified staff, so you can be confident you’re in good hands.

The scan typically only takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You may wear comfortable clothing, but you’ll be asked to take off any jewelry. No special preparation is required, but you may be asked to stop taking vitamins and supplements up to 24 hours before the appointment, as these can occasionally interfere with bone density measurements.

During the appointment you’ll be led to a comfortable, private room where you will lay down on a table, while a scanning arm passes over your body. You will not be placed in a tube, such as during an MRI, so claustrophobia is generally not an issue. As noted above, the scan is absolutely painless.

Results are usually available on the same day or within 48 hours. Bone density results may take slightly longer depending on physician review timelines — your care team can advise on expected turnaround.

Take control of your health with a DEXA scan in Las Vegas at Preventative Diagnostic Center. The more you understand your health and body, the more proactive you can be toward improving it. A DEXA scan can provide the insight you need to make smarter, more informed health choices. Call today.