Common Heart Scan USELESS for Women? (Shocking)
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 30, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
My wife and I were lucky enough to get our annual physicals done before the omicron surge took off… and boy, am I glad we did!
Though we’re relatively young (both of us just now hitting our mid-50’s), we like to stay on top of our health as much as possible.
We also like to book our physicals for around same time. We do this for a few reasons… but mostly because it means fewer things to remember!
It also points out some pretty interesting – and unfortunate – discrepancies in how men and women are treated at the doctor.
And that includes this seemingly “helpful” heart test.
As it turns out, this common heart scan is practically USELESS… especially for women.
Yet that doesn’t stop mainstream docs from ordering it…
The heart test I’m referring to is called a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. These scans have become a fairly cheap (around $100) and quick way to assess your risk of heart attack.
A coronary artery calcium test is designed to look for calcium in your heart. You see, calcium serves as a “patch” for damage done to coronary arteries (the main arteries that surround your heart).
You may already know that cholesterol can clog your arteries, but it builds up for a reason. Cholesterol repairs micro tears in the walls of the blood vessels, usually created by inflammation and oxidative damage. The cholesterol builds up and acts as a band-aid to seal the tear.
Well, researchers have found that calcium is also laid down to reinforce the cholesterol. So, if the scan spots large deposits of calcium “patches,” it could mean your arteries are blocked.
But it’s important to understand that calcium is a very late comer to the clogged artery party. This means that a CAC scan can’t really tell you how clogged your arteries are, only if you have late-stage disease.
And, according to a new study, published in the journal JAMA Cardiology, researchers found CAC scans score of zero don’t mean anything in women and younger adults.
In the study, many women and younger patients who had confirmed clogged arteries had a healthy score of zero when given a CAC scan.
So… is the test ever useful?
Many churches and community centers have begun offering CAC scans to help people assess their heart health. Because it is so inexpensive, I’d suggest getting it. The test does a good job of finding people with advanced disease.
Remember, if you get a zero score, this doesn’t mean you can eat anything you want – especially if you’re a woman. And it’s always a good idea to follow up with your doctor afterwards.
P.S. This study shows, again, why calcium should NOT be the best-selling supplement that it is. Consider replacing your calcium pill with THIS instead… your heart will thank you!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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