In this episode of The 5 Minute Signal, Performance Research Expert Aris Sterling dismantles the traditional reactive model of cardiology. As of January 2026, the medical landscape has shifted with the implementation of new CPT codes for AI-driven plaque characterization, yet most individuals are still relying on antiquated stress tests that only detect disease once it's nearly too late. Sterling explores the biological reality of "soft plaque," the limitations of traditional diagnostic gatekeeping, and how AI-enabled Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) is transforming heart attack prevention from a game of chance into a precision science. We move beyond the "clogged pipe" analogy to understand the inflammatory profile of the arterial wall and why your "normal" stress test might be the most dangerous document in your medical file.

Citations:

1. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), "AI-Enabled Plaque Quantification and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events," 2025.

2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), "Reimbursement Policy for Category I CPT Code 75577," effective January 1, 2026.

3. The CONFIRM2 International Registry, "Predictive Accuracy of AI-QCT in Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease," presented at AHA 2025.