[originaltext] Scientists say that most doctors and patients already know wh

Scientists say that most doctors and patients already know what is right for them in terms of diet and exercise. The problem is that we have become a nation too focused on treating heart disease and stroke rather than preventing them. Primary-care doctors are constantly in firefighter mode, rushing to the scene of a patient’s health disaster, instead of spending the time counseling patients about the best diet and prevention program.
    For example, not enough doctors prescribe niacin for their heart patients, even though the medicine is a proven treatment for raising "good" cholesterol. Physicians are reluctant because niacin requires diligent follow-up to watch for side effects, taking time that most primary-care practices cannot afford. On the other hand, too many doctors are performing heart operations that represent a financial windfall for hospitals. Bottom line: There isn’t as much money to be made in prevention as in treatment.
    We know now better how to use the technology and have a real shot at preventing the nearly one million heart attacks and 700,000 strokes that occur each year in the U.S. It is the use of computed tomography angiography. This is a noninvasive heart scan that takes about 10 minutes and can tell you if you have any developing plaque in the vessels that supply blood to your heart. The trick is to get the test done before you experience any chest pains or other heart problems. Cutting down on that inflammation greatly reduces your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.