HEART + LUNG LONGEVITY SCREENING

Two Silent Killers.
One Simple Scan.

A quick CT scan can help detect lung cancer and heart disease before symptoms appear.
For many people, insurance covers lung screening at no cost.

Located on the Lake Charles waterfront within the CHRISTUS Ochsner Health system.

See disease before it announces itself.

Two of the deadliest diseases in the world often develop silently.
Lung cancer.
Coronary artery disease.

Both can grow quietly for years without symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, treatment may be more difficult.

But modern imaging technology has changed what is possible. A low-dose CT scan of the chest can detect:

  • early lung cancer
  • small lung nodules
  • early coronary artery calcium

That means one simple scan may provide insight into two major causes of death.

For people who smoke or previously smoked, the risk of both diseases increases significantly.

The good news: When these diseases are detected early, treatment options are dramatically better.

Who is this scan for?

  • Current or former smokers
  • Adults with multiple cardiac risk factors
  • People with a strong family history of heart or lung disease
  • Anyone who wants proactive insight into heart + lung health

STEP 1

Check if you qualify in 60 seconds.

Answer a few quick questions about age, smoking history, and risk factors. Many eligible patients may have lung screening covered by insurance at no cost.

No obligation. Your information is secure and reviewed only by our clinical team.

Typical questions in your quiz:

  • Current age
  • Smoking history (packs per day and years)
  • Family history of lung or heart disease
  • Previous heart or lung conditions

TWO DISEASES – ONE RISK FACTOR

Smoking increases risk for both heart disease and lung cancer.

Smoking affects nearly every organ in the body. But two organs are particularly vulnerable:
The lungs.
The heart.

Smoking increases risk of:

  • lung cancer
  • coronary artery disease
  • stroke
  • chronic lung disease

That is why screening can be so valuable for current and former smokers.

Heart + lung benefit in one visit.

Your low-dose CT scan is designed to evaluate both:

  • Suspicious lung nodules or early lung cancer
  • Coronary artery calcium linked to heart attack risk
Schedule My CT Screening

WHAT THE SCAN CAN DETECT

A window into your chest.

One low-dose CT scan. Minutes on the table. No needles. No IVs. No contrast.

Lung nodules

Tiny spots in the lung that may represent early cancer, infection, or scarring.

Early lung cancer

Detect cancer when it is small and potentially curable with minimally invasive surgery.

Coronary artery calcium

Early plaque in the heart’s arteries linked to heart attack and stroke risk.

Emphysema & lung damage

Structural lung changes that may explain shortness of breath long before severe disease.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A LUNG NODULE IS FOUND

Advanced technology for early diagnosis.

When a lung nodule is detected, the next step may involve additional evaluation. At Gulf Coast Lung & Longevity Institute we offer advanced diagnostic technology including:

ION robotic bronchoscopy
This technology allows physicians to reach very small lung nodules deep inside the lung. Nodules as small as 6 millimeters can sometimes be biopsied with precision. This allows doctors to diagnose lung cancer earlier than ever before.

Why robotic bronchoscopy matters

Traditional bronchoscopy may not reach small, deep nodules. Robotic navigation guided by CT imaging improves precision and may reduce the need for more invasive surgery just to get a diagnosis.

COMPREHENSIVE LUNG CANCER CENTER

Multidisciplinary lung cancer care.

If something concerning is found, you are not on your own. You are connected to a full lung cancer program from diagnosis through treatment.

Tumor board collaboration

Cases are reviewed by a multidisciplinary team including:

  • thoracic surgeons
  • pulmonologists
  • medical oncologists
  • radiation oncologists
  • radiologists
  • pathologists

ROBOTIC LUNG SURGERY

Minimally invasive treatment for early lung cancer.

When lung cancer is detected early, surgery may offer the best chance for cure. Using robotic thoracic surgery, many lung operations can be performed through small incisions rather than large open chest surgery.

  • less pain
  • smaller scars
  • shorter hospital stays
  • faster return to work

Many patients go home within one day after surgery.

REGIONAL HEART CENTER

Advanced cardiac care in the same center.

If coronary artery calcium is detected, patients have access to a comprehensive regional heart center.

  • calcium score screening

  • preventive cardiology

  • cardiac consultation

  • Interventional Cardiology (stents)

  • robotic cardiac surgery

  • hybrid coronary procedures

PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING

Understanding lung health.

Pulmonary function tests help measure:

  • lung capacity
  • airflow
  • oxygen exchange

These tests can help diagnose conditions such as:

  • COPD
  • emphysema
  • asthma
  • lung scarring

Understanding lung function is an important part of prevention and treatment.

PULMONARY REHABILITATION

Helping patients breathe better.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can help patients improve:

  • breathing efficiency
  • endurance
  • physical strength
  • quality of life

These programs combine:

  • supervised exercise
  • breathing techniques
  • education
  • lifestyle guidance

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Early detection vs late disease.

A five-minute scan today can change the trajectory of the next 10–20 years.

5-minute screening

Low-dose CT scan of the chest. Low cost or covered by insurance for many eligible individuals.

  • Takes minutes
  • No needles or IVs
  • Fast results and clear next steps

Advanced cancer & heart disease

Delaying screening can mean discovering disease only after serious symptoms appear.

  • Chemotherapy and radiation

  • Major surgeries and hospitalization

  • Long recoveries and loss of work

  • Most importantly: loss of years of life

  • Increased costs to years of life, family and legacy

WHY LAKE CHARLES

Destination medicine on the Gulf Coast.

Lake Charles is home to:

  • Golden Nugget Casino Resort
  • L’Auberge Casino Resort
  • World-class hospitality and dining

Visitors can combine travel with advanced medical screening and care—making longevity part of a meaningful Gulf Coast experience.

CHRISTUS OCHSNER HEALTH

Regional centers of excellence.

Patients receive care within the CHRISTUS Ochsner Health system including:

  • Regional Heart Center

  • Regional Cancer Center

  • Advanced Thoracic Robotic Surgery Program

This allows patients to receive comprehensive care without traveling far from home.

your journey begins here

A clear path from awareness to treatment.

  • Scan the QR Code

  • Heart + Lung Screening Page

  • Eligibility Quiz

  • Schedule CT Scan

  • Consultation

  • Treatment Pathway

Each step is designed to move from curiosity to clarity: Do I qualify? What will this show? How do I schedule? What happens if something is found?

The Gulf Coast Heart & Lung Longevity Screening Center

We are unique and very comprehensive, we offer:

  • lung screening
  • heart screening
  • robotic cardiac surgery
  • robotic thoracic surgery
  • multidisciplinary cancer care

The Gulf Coast destination for proactive heart and lung longevity.

For corporate accounts

High-volume programs for employers & partners.

Inquire about dedicated screening days or tailored programs for high-risk populations who work long hours, shift schedules, or in safety-sensitive roles.

Call to discuss the various options for each group:

  • Casinos
  • Oil & gas companies
  • Refineries
  • Ports
  • Texas drivers

STEP 2

Schedule your CT screening.

Choose a date and time that works for you. Most appointments take less than 30 minutes, with only a few minutes on the scanner itself.

Schedule My CT Scan

After your scan, you’ll review results and next steps with our team.

What to expect on scan day:

  • Simple check-in and brief questionnaire
  • Change into a gown if needed
  • Lie flat on the CT table for a few minutes
  • Breathe in, hold, and relax while images are captured

Most patients are on and off the table in less than 10 minutes.

The best time to detect disease is before symptoms begin.

Right now you have an opportunity. You can wait for symptoms—or you can take a quick scan that may reveal problems before they become life‑threatening.

Gulf Coast Heart & Lung Longevity Screening Center • Lake Charles, Louisiana