From: Stan Lewis (jop167-197.4states.com)
Subject: Test that are sometime misleading for artery blockage
Date: January 15, 2002 at 7:08 pm PST

Dr. Pinckney, in June of 2001 I had a Caroid artery sound scan and my doctor told me I had one artery completely blocked and the other about 60%. He thought I needed surgery and sent me to a surgeon, the surgeon wanted to do an angiogram. I delayed and cut my diet to lots of vegetables and exercise. I got my cholesterol down to 125 and kept it there 6 months.The last of December 2001 the doctor did another ultra-sound scan and said the clogged one had opened a little bit but the other was worst.He asked if I would like an MRI as it should show the percentage of blockage.
I had the MRI and was notified today the MRI showed only 30%blockage of both arteries.The doctor said I had a toruous(crooked) arterys and that may have throw aff the readings or it could have been my diet.It shows people need to approach these tests carefully.I read on the Internet a good percentage of surgery on Caroid arteries are found to be unwarranted.