banana, it's not perfect, agreed.
But there is no other
non-invasive test, even at 10 times the price, that is as reliable an indicator for coronary artery disease as this one is.
The thallium stress treadmill tests are not nearly as accurate and they are 5X or more in cost. Generally, they miss CAD inidictions 10% of the time. Not bad, but not as good as FastCAT either. Much more expensive too. And then you have that nastly little stat of folks with CAD dying on the treadmill during the test. Oops.
Not a single fatality from FastCAT that I've ever heard about.
Another advantage is that if the FastCAT shows a calcium buildup, when you do get your actual invasive CATH the docs know exactly where the trouble spots are. So they can be a bit more prepared and careful when entering that area so they don't knock some plaque loose.
Again, I'll wager there's some folks on this BBS with a history of CAD in their families at young ages that will spend $250 with their wife in a bar/restaurant this weekend.
I'm just saying.. just saying.. if you have this in your family you might be doing yourself, your wife and your kids a BIG favor if you skipped the bar/restaurant scene one weekend and spent a total of 30 minutes at a FastCAT heart scan facility.
IMO.