The Widowmaker (2015)

So much average

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Blistering performances.

I was one of the first researchers who proposed the use of coronary artery calcification to predict probability of heart attacks (calcium screening) and I played a major part in the development and testing of the technologies used for calcium screening. The producers of this film solicited my participation in their planned documentary and I declined participation.When I was invited to participate, I was told by the interviewing staff member from the Widowmaker production team that the film was largely funded by one donor who was, for personal reasons, totally sold on the value of calcium screening as a way to detect those persons susceptible to heart attacks. It was obvious that this "documentary" film would not be an accurate portrayal of the history of the development of this technology nor would it represent anything like objective journalism regarding the test's actual value.After viewing the film, I know I made the correct decision to not participate. The film portrays a non-existent intellectual and economic battle between those who propose prevention of heart disease and those who propose intervention for those already suffering from heart disease. It appears almost as if these two "sides" are fighting each other; it seems from the film that one side wants to prevent heart attacks and deprive the other from the business in treating them and the intervention side is against prevention in order to get more business. This is a convenient, though inaccurate and unfair way to explain why many, including myself, who saw real value in calcium screening did not and still do not recommend its universal use for all those who might be worried about their risk of a heart attack. Calcium screening is accepted by the medical community as a way to determine risk and to focus preventive interventions (like cholesterol lowering) on those at high risk for heart attacks. It is not accepted as a way to detect latent heart disease in everybody. This approach of screening to determine risk is based on scientific evidence. Those doctors who specialize in treating heart attacks and heart disease with interventions are not at all opposed to coronary calcium screening when used in this scientifically proved way.Robert Detrano MD PhD

Very eye opening and not to be missed! Gives you a good idea of what tests to ask for and who to see. The one thing I found weird was they showed all these really rich cardiologists who had extremely bad teeth. I have read where your teeth can have a big impact on heart health. I have had the scan already and will again. I recommend it everyone. Do not stick your head in the sand and become frightened at getting info that could save your life. I hope this message reaches a lot of people who need it. You can really see where decisions about our lives are made by doctors who are really asses and act like it's amusing! They say a stent is no more better than diet and exercise....when someone is laying on the table and gets a stent that opens his artery immediately. Like every thing else in life, money seems to be the big motivation in treatments getting the go ahead or not. Money and hubris . One or two people can influence a whole country as far as what tests will be paid for by insurance.

I'm sure this film is full of great advice to people about not ignoring heart symptoms,. getting regular check ups on your heart, etc. The thing is, the movie is inaccurate, right from the beginning.I am 37. I have ZERO heart disease. I have normal BP, HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides. I had a LAD (Widowmaker) heart attack one morning at work. It was NOT preventable. There was NOTHING I could have done to prevent it. "Totally and 100% preventable" is said more than 10 times in the first 5 minutes of this film, therefore, I turned it off (sadly) because it's not accurate.Again, I had a LAD (Widowmaker) Heart Attack at 37, and it WAS NOT preventable in any way.If you are a person aged 20-59, and have a heart, you are at risk for a heart attack.Get educated, and for God's sake, be more responsible with your words (to all the doctors making false statements in this film). Google SCAD Heart Attack, and get educated.

"The WidowMaker" is a Must-See Documentary for every adult. You need to understand the politics and greed involved in the Cardiology and Heart Care Industry that consists of Cardiologists, Invasive Cardiologists, Heart Surgeons, Hospitals, Stent Makers and BIG PHARMA. Heart Disease fuels a MAJOR aspect of our health care system. An extremely accurate 20-second non-invasive test done by a low-dose CT machine known as the CAC Score is threatening the profits of the hospitals and cardiologists......as it costs very little and can find that up to 50% of heart procedures ($$$) are not actually needed at all. Yet, heart disease kills nearly 35% of all of us and we want to trust our "doctors" who have "nothing-but-the-best-in-mind-for-us" lol. But lining thir pockets with gold appears to be the motivation.Heart Disease is a big-money industry and the power players are polarized toward keeping the status-quo and the billions of profits. The proponents of the CAC Score feel that the existing cardiology mafia-esque power-cadre should change to save peoples lives because it's the right thing to do.......herein lies the crux....they don't want to give up the money. There are Non-invasive options and alternatives today instead of surgery. Watch "The WidowMaker" on NETFLIX TODAY!!!