"It will help us predict who needs to have their arteries stinted and who may suffer a heart attack in the near future," explained Dr. Vinaya Chepuri.

A tiny ultrasound device is threaded through the arteries and then sends moving pictures to a computer screen.

The images are color coded, letting doctors know for the first time, what kind of plaque is blocking the artery.

That's important since not all plaque is the same. There are four types.

"So, what this allows us to do is identify the ones that are more likely to cause a heart attack," said Dr. Chepuri.

Arlan Hatloe, 64, of Everett, was the first patient in the state to undergo the new procedure.

"Anytime I'd walk up a small hill, or come out a restaurant and walk to my car, pain would radiate up my arm and into my chest and even into my right arm somewhat," he said.

His doctor found two blocked arteries -- one severe, and one minor. The computer analyzed the minor blockage and found it that was made up of the kind of plaque that causes heart attacks.

Normally doctors might have left it alone, but thanks to the new technology, they knew it had to be repaired.

"Fortunately he caught it in time and I will have to change some of my living and eating habits to keep that from happening again," said Hatloe.

With cardiovascular disease the number one killer of both men and woman, this medical breakthrough is certain to save lives.