February is Heart Month and a great time to focus on heart attack and stroke prevention. The Coronary Artery (Non-contrast) Calcium Score Test is an accurate test to measure whether plaque is building up in the coronary (heart) arteries years before a heart attack occurs. However, few get this test and far too many people die each year from a heart attack that could have been prevented.

What It Detects
Atherosclerosis is the medical term for plaque buildup in the arteries. When born the arteries are smooth like the inside of the cheek. Risk factors damage the inside lining. High blood pressure roughens up the lining much like sandpaper. Excess blood glucose scratches it while moving through it. Smoking makes the blood very sticky and more likely to clump together.

Inflammation is the process where white blood cells move into the damaged area to heal it becoming red and swollen much like a pimple. LDL (Bad) cholesterol moving through the blood can become lodged in the wounded areas. Over time calcium deposits form from the inflammation. These deposits can be seen on X-ray (see arrow).

 Over time the process worsens, and the damaged areas are vulnerable to rupture. Blood then comes in contact with the plaque buildup and a major blood clot forms which blocks the artery. Vital blood carrying oxygen can’t pass through. Most immediately experience pain and discomfort and some die from the erratic electrical fibrillations that stop the heart completely. The previous diagram shows how the rupture forms a blood clot.

Note that this plaque buildup is identified by the amount of calcium deposits noted on the test, a marker for atherosclerosis or plaque buildup. It’s called a subclinical diagnosis because most are unaware of the impending danger as it is occurring.

How It Works
Around 2000 a technology was developed that could capture X-ray images in between heart beats while the heart was briefly at rest. It examines the 4 main coronary arteries: left main, left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary artery. The amount visualized is tabulated into a total score. The radiation exposure in a non-contrast test is somewhat less than a mammogram.

What Do the Results Mean?
In simple terms it determines if one has none, small, moderate or a large amount of plaque building up. Atherosclerosis forms silently. It doesn’t cause a problem until the heart attack occurs. Those found to have larger amounts are treated more aggressively to prevent any further buildup. The following table provides general guidelines.

Who Should Get the Test?
It is generally recommended for men over 40 and women over 50 with risk factors or a strong family history of heart disease. If your sister or brother had a heart attack you may have similar genetic vulnerabilities, and the test would rule out if you’re also at risk.

It is not recommended for anyone who had a heart attack. You’re at much greater risk for a second one and already should be receiving aggressive risk factor reduction care. The test would not add anything to your care plan.

Prevention: The Eight Essential Lifestyles
The following 8 Essential Risk Factors were identified by the American Heart Association. Managing them would help tremendously to improve heart health. Do check with your healthcare provider before initiating an exercise program.

1. Quit smoking
2. Increase physical activity
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Manage a healthy weight
5. Get a good night’s sleep
6. Lower LDL cholesterol
7. Keep blood pressure <135/85
8. Keep fasting blood glucose <100

Statin Controversy
Recently a great deal of controversy arose regarding statin therapy and lowering LDL cholesterol. Good points have been raised regarding the accuracy and validity of earlier research connecting excess LDL cholesterol and heart disease. One of the most vocal who challenges the wisdom of statin treatment is Dr. Paul Saladino. He lives in Costa Rica, surfs 2 hours each day and consumes a diet rich in fish and fresh vegetables. However, even he agrees and stated:

If you’re insulin resistant and we lower your LDL cholesterol, your risk for heart disease is unequivocally lower. However, we didn’t treat the real cause which is insulin resistance or a metabolic disorder.

Interestingly, he is right of course but far too many people in America are insulin resistant and loaded with risk factors for heart disease. They most definitely would benefit from lowering LDL cholesterol. Once it’s lowered less will be available to move into inflamed areas which will then begin to heal.

Insulin resistance is a cluster primarily of several risk factors: excess weight, high blood pressure and glucose, low Healthy HDL (Good) Cholesterol, and inactivity. If those were controlled the need for statins might be reduced significantly.

However, some people live a very healthy lifestyle but inherited a liver that produces too much LDL cholesterol. The statin blocks an enzyme needed to make LDL cholesterol.

The best advice is to get the screening Non-contrast Coronary Artery Calcium Score test and follow up with a healthcare provider. If the score is low, you can focus on lifestyle changes. If it’s in the moderate or high range further tests may be needed to determine if that larger amount of plaque buildup is getting in the way of blood flow. Aggressive lifestyle changes will benefit everyone and statin therapy for those with positive calcium deposits.

On A Personal Note
Around 2000 our heart institute in the Chicago area was a beta site for this new technology. We asked patients to complete a form that indicated how they were controlling risk factors, drew blood to measure glucose and cholesterol levels and took a blood pressure. I was one of the cardiac nurses who sat with the patient and reviewed the preliminary calcium score results, their lifestyle choices, bloodwork and blood pressure.

One day I sat with a CEO executive from a Fortune 500 company and a truck driver. It was fascinating to learn that their questions were very similar. We found some people who were headed down the track at a rapid speed toward a heart attack and potential death. It was gratifying to intervene before the event and prevent that horrible outcome. Others just needed to tweak their risk factors and be more aware of their potential risk.

I now live in northern Idaho near Spokane, Washington. A few years ago, there were only 2 places to get this test. It’s now available at all radiology centers. It baffles my mind that few insurance carriers cover it even though it’s highly recommended by national guidelines.

During heart month most offer discounts if you pay out-of-pocket. Call your local facility and ask if they are offering a special during heart month. Most do. Give yourself a gift and get screened. Do what you can to live a healthier lifestyle. Don’t resist medications if your healthcare provider thinks you need them. If you’ve had this test, please comment below with your experience.

My first book Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke is available for $15 (which includes shipping). Just send me an email through my website and I’ll mail you a copy (www.jenniejohnsonrn.com). It’s a book that helps people reduce risk factors with simple changes.

Finally, I saw first-hand the magic of this test in really changing people’s lives. If they could be shown the silent damage building up, they were more motivated to make those changes to prevent a heart attack and take the medication prescribed by their doctor. You can view it in my article (note reference below).

Blessings to you all, as you take better care of the body God has given you, Jennie

Remember: Genetics loads the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

and

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10: 31).

References

 “Screening: How Much Radiation is in a Heart CT for Calcium Scoring?” HelpDementia.com (September 17, 2025). https://helpdementia.com/screening-how-much-radiation-is-in-a-heart-ct-for-calcium-scoring/

“Coronary Artery Calcium Staging to Guide Preventive Interventions: A Proposal & Call to Action,” Journal of the American College of Cardiology (September 25, 2024). https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.101287

“The Shawn Ryan Show: Paul Saladino SRS #179,” Vigilance Elite (March 5, 2025). https://shawnryanshow.com/blogs/the-shawn-ryan-show/srs-179-paul-saladino-the-fda-approved-poison-you-eat-every-day

1. Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) jenniejohnsonrn.com $15 (includes shipping), https://jenniejohnsonrn.com
2. Johnson, Does Knowledge of Coronary Artery Calcium Affect Cardiovascular Risk Perception, Likelihood of Taking Action, Health-promoting Behavior Change? Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (January-February 30, 2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24434820/

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare

Author of Wake UP Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) and Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

 While the holidays are a joyous time spent with family and friends, it can be a disaster for waistlines. The tastiest cuisines are often high in sugar, saturated fats, salt and alcoholic beverages. Processed foods abound.

However, holiday food is a wonderful gift of life. (For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4: 4-5).

 While it’s important to enjoy holiday food, it’s also imperative to do it sensibly. How does one navigate the food minefields?  Nutritionists, psychologists and weight loss experts have contributed great insights into healthier eating during the holidays.
My patients have found the following 10 tips the most helpful. 

1. Reduce stress by buying and wrapping your gifts early and scale back your holiday decorations.
2. When confronted with a smorgasbord of food choices, select very small portions.
3. Eat a meal before attending the party. If your stomach is full, you’ll graze less.
4. Add more lean protein to your diet throughout the day which is digested slower.
5. Reduce alcohol consumption to reduce a trigger for cravings.
6. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Dehydration increases cravings.
7. Focus on getting a good night’s sleep.
8. Forgive yourself, if you eat poorly one day, eat healthy the next.
9. Be active. Go for a walk while listening to music.
10. Finally, most importantly, attend church. Jesus is the reason for the season. He will give you the peace which passes all understanding.

Don’t deprive yourself of a good time. Just be sensible and you can have your cake and eat it too. Merry Christmas from our house to yours…

 Candy Cane Poem (author unknown)

Look at the candy cane. What do you see?

Stripes that are red, like the blood shed for me.

White is for my Savior, who’s sinless and pure!

J is for Jesus, my Lord, that’s for sure!

Turn around, and a staff you will see.

Jesus my Shepherd, was born for me!

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare

Author of Wake UP Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) and Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Decisions declared by the CDC regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and a few children’s vaccines have led to a great deal of confusion. First, it’s important to understand how any medication including vaccines obtain approval.

Process
Pharmaceutical companies of various sizes develop ingenious medications that have clearly improved lives. For instance, the life expectancy in 1900 was 47 years old, while today it has reached 78 years old. Much of that expanse in living longer is related to miracle antibiotics, cancer therapies and many other lifesaving pharmaceuticals. However, any medication or vaccine carries potential side effects. The risk of treatment with the medication verses the harm MUST be explored before administration.

It generally takes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 10 to 15 years to approve a vaccine via the following steps:

1. Research and discovery of a new concept.
2. Proof of concept: How does it work on small animals?
3. Testing the vaccine: Monitored in 4 phases from a few people to >3,000 over time.
4. The manufacturing process: Do the batches or lots match?
5. Approving the vaccine: Is it safe and effective?
6. Recommending the vaccine for use: Approval to use it with wide populations.
7. Monitoring safety after approval: Does it remain safe over the long-term?

Informed Consent
Typically, the healthcare provider discusses the benefits verses the side effects or potential harms before prescribing any medication. The patient determines whether he or she will take it.

VAERS
Vaccine harms should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting system (VAERS). 

However, a study done from 2006 to 2009 estimated that only 1% of all significant harmful side effects from vaccines were reported to the FDA. The system is challenging and time consuming for busy healthcare providers or confused patients to complete.

The Issue
Autism is a neurodegenerative problem that runs the spectrum of an inability to use the toilet, speak or walk to high functioning individuals who lack empathy. In 1995 it was estimated that 1 in 500 children had the disorder. In 2000 it was 1 in 150 and in 2022 1 in 31. Current estimates may be much higher. What is causing this dramatic increase in cases? It’s imperative to ask!

One theory is that chemicals in the food supply may be the culprit but more troubling may be one of the childhood vaccines. The Johns Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety provided a list of or potential substances that may be added to a vaccine although NOT recommended (aluminum, mercury, thimerosal, acetone, alcohol, castor oil, glycerin, etc.)

New Vaccine Updates
Questions are now being raised looking for a connection. To that end the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recently recommended that some of the vaccines normally given to very small children be separated (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or chicken pox). Is there a problem with something in one of them or all of them? Answers will come when examining the outcomes individually.

Implications for Parents
Parents are encouraged to remain vigilant as more changes may be coming. Undoubtably, more frequent injections will cause trauma to children. However, the answers may guide healthcare providers into safer vaccines which may ultimately reduce autism rates.

On A Personal Note:
All three of our children grew up through the 80’s and 90’s and were vaccinated. Until the COVID-19 pandemic I never thought anything about any of the CDC vaccine recommendations. I trusted them completely. However, when highly regarded physician scientists began raising legitimate questions only to be demonized as kooks and crazies, alarm bells went off in my head.

When I conducted my dissertation research I had to cross every T and dot every I (Does Knowledge of Coronary Artery Calcium Affect Cardiovascular Risk Perception, Likelihood of Taking Action, and Health-Promoting Behavior Change?)

Informed consent was drilled into my head and carefully obtained from each participant. It was strongly evidenced-based, new information and ultimately published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nurses. 

Truthfully, I’ve been shocked and extremely disappointed in how much the principles of good scientific investigation have been missing these past 5 years. Regarding the medical community and those healthcare providers that got it wrong, let’s pray that lessons have been learned. 

Change is always uncomfortable, but answers are needed. Remember if you hear of governmental CDC and FDA firings, ask yourself these questions. Were they political? Were they because committee members had financial relationships with the very drug companies whose products they were charged to approve? Did they endorse shoddy scientific methodology? We may not know the answers to these questions.

Keep informed as best you can as vital accurate unbiased research is conducted. Pray for our medical leaders to ask difficult challenging questions and seek answers to the maladies plaguing us today and for goodness’ sake KEEP POLITICS AND GREED OUT OF ALL OF IT!

The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps (Proverbs 14:15).

References:

1. Arias & J. Xu, “National Vital Statistics Report,” CDC (November 17, 2020).

https://nchstats.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/United-States-Life-Tables-2018.pdf

“Life Expectancy Mortality Tables,” CDC (June 5, 2025). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm

“How Vaccines are Developed & Approved for Use,” CDC (August 10, 2024). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/how-developed-approved.html

“About the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS),” CDC (August 7, 2024). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety-systems/vaers/index.html

1. Lazurus & M. Klompas, “Electronic Support for Public Health Adverse Event Reporting System,” Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (December 1 2007, September 30, 2010). https://digital.ahrq.gov/ahrq-funded-projects/electronic-support-public-health-vaccine-adverse-event-reporting-system

“Autism Through the Years: How Understanding has Evolved Over Two Decades,” Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (May 2025). https://autismcenter.org/autism-through-the-years

“Excipients in Vaccines Not Routinely Recommended,” John Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety (March 14, 2025). https://www.vaccinesafety.edu/excipients-in-vaccines-not-routine/

2025. Moniuszko, “CDC’s Vaccine Advisory Panel with New Members Picked by RFK Jr. Votes on Measles Shot,” Healthwatch (September 18, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/cdc-vaccine-advisory-committee-rfk-jr-vote-measles-hepatitis-b/

Johnson et al. “Does Knowledge of Coronary Artery Calcium Affect Cardiovascular Risk Perception, Likelihood of Taking Action, and Health-Promoting Behavior Change?” Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (January 2014).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259769896_Does_Knowledge_of_Coronary_Artery_Calcium_Affect_Cardiovascular_Risk_Perception_Likelihood_of_Taking_Action_and_Health-Promoting_Behavior_Change

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare

Author of Wake UP Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) and Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.