Coronary Calcium Scan

[KillSwitch]

Dr. Joel Kahn is always talking about getting this test. He is a WFPB doc just like Dr. McD, et al....

When is this test indicated? Doesn't everyone have some plaque if you began this WOE late in life? Besides eating a strict WFPB diet, does Dr. McD recommend any other tests except maybe bloodwork once or twice a year?

[JeffN]

Beware of Interventional Cardiologists (Heart Surgeons)
https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2016nl ... rgeons.htm

We do not recommend these scans.

[KillSwitch]

Beware of Interventional Cardiologists (Heart Surgeons)
https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2016nl ... rgeons.htm

We do not recommend these scans.

Thanks! I am going to read the link you posted. These things (IMO) scare a lot of ppl into having more tests and procedures.

[pundit999]

Beware of Interventional Cardiologists (Heart Surgeons)
https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2016nl ... rgeons.htm

We do not recommend these scans.

Thanks Jeff.
I understand that this test is of no value to a person who is already following the diet advocated here.
But what about the people who are on the fence or do not know they have heart disease?
Won't this test tell them they have disease and they should start consuming only whole plants?

How can people prevent what happened to Shane Warne at age 52 (one of the most famous cricket player of all time) a few days ago or Tim Russert?
A lot of time, the first warning is a huge heart attack leading to death or severe disability. How can we identify people who are vulnerable in this way so they can be motivated to adopt this diet?

[JeffN]

You are assuming the test tells you something that it may actuallly not.

Tim Russet actually had one a few years earlier, which was over 200 indicating artery disease and a moderate to high risk of a heart attack. He was being treated for his high blood pressure, was overweight, and a recent echocardiogram found that the main heart pumping chamber had thickened and his blood pressure had increased. He pretty much ate the SAD. Some joked he sustained himself on Diet Coke and Licorice.

He had more then enough reasons to make the necessary changes but didn’t. So, he actually had the test and it dIdn’t make a difference or save his life.

Dr McDougall did a posthumous Interview with him

https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2008nl/jun/russert.htm

Shane Warne manager said, “He did go on these ridiculous sorts of diets and he just finished one, where he basically only ate fluids for 14 days and he’d done this three or four times. “It was a bit … all or nothing. It was either white buns with butter and lasagne stuffed in the middle or he would be having black and green juices.” He was also a smoker.

Jeff

[KillSwitch]

Wiki says>>>

On 4 March 2022, at the age of 52, Warne died from natural causes

Why do Wiki and other websites say this if the COD was a HA? Why not tell readers what the specific cause of death was unless you don't really know and no autopsy was performed?

[KillSwitch]

Dr McDougall did a posthumous Interview with him

https://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2008nl/jun/russert.htm

I just read the posthumous interview. Interesting!

[JeffN]

Wiki says>>>

On 4 March 2022, at the age of 52, Warne died from natural causes

Why do Wiki and other websites say this if the COD was a HA? Why not tell readers what the specific cause of death was unless you don't really know and no autopsy was performed?

it just happened.

As the say, more will be revealed. Maybe.

But in the end, we know the solution, how many more risk factors and/or tests do we need to convince people they are at high risk? Look at their activity levels and their plate and we got most of it covered.

Jeff

[KillSwitch]

What if your Coronary Calcium Scan is zero or a low number and you eat SAD? Does that mean your arteries are healthy and you are at a low risk for a HA? Could one be lulled into a false sense of security?

[pundit999]

You are assuming the test tells you something that it may actuallly not.

Jeff

OK. Jeff.
But how can we reduce the number of people who suddenly drop dead of a heart attack?
The calcium score does tell one has heart disease. May be not 100% accurate but it is much better than anything else available at this time.

What about a simple algorithm like this:

If your father/uncles have had a heart attack, stroke or heart surgeries (stents or bypasses):
assume you have heart disease and start eating whole plants only
Get a calcium score at age 40 (or less), if the score is non zero
start eating whole plants only

[Freya]

I recently read about a Dr. Paul Saladino who eats only meat. His cholesterol is insanely high but he says his CAC is zero. I don't know what to make of this.

[KillSwitch]

I recently read about a Dr. Paul Saladino who eats only meat. His cholesterol is insanely high but he says his CAC is zero. I don't know what to make of this.

Wow Freya! <SMH>......WTF! LOL