Georgia Man's $99 Heart Test Leads to Lifesaving Surgery

Ronnie Paul's calcium scoring test revealed extreme risk of heart attack, despite having no symptoms.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Ronnie Paul, a 67-year-old Georgia man, underwent a voluntary $99 calcium scoring heart test that revealed a dangerously high level of plaque buildup in his arteries. Despite feeling healthy and having no symptoms, Paul's test results showed he was at extreme risk of a heart attack. Just two days after the test, he underwent open-heart surgery to clear the blockage in his heart.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of preventive heart health screenings, even for seemingly healthy individuals. The calcium scoring test was able to detect a life-threatening condition that Paul was unaware of, allowing him to receive timely treatment and potentially save his life.

The details

Ronnie Paul saw a flyer at his doctor's office for the calcium scoring heart test, a CT scan that looks for calcium in the arteries, which can signal plaque buildup and blockages. Although Paul was active and healthy, with no symptoms, his test results showed a calcium score of 2,228 - a dangerously high level. The normal range is below 400. Paul left the test in an ambulance and underwent open-heart surgery just two days later to clear the blockage in his heart.

  • In July 2025, Ronnie Paul took the $99 calcium scoring heart test.
  • Two days after the test, Paul underwent open-heart surgery.

The players

Ronnie Paul

A 67-year-old Georgia man who underwent a $99 calcium scoring heart test that revealed he was at extreme risk of a heart attack, despite having no symptoms.

Dianne Paul

Ronnie Paul's wife, who stated that it was 'a matter of when, not if' her husband would have a heart attack based on his test results.

Dr. David Langford

The surgeon who performed Ronnie Paul's open-heart surgery to clear the blockage in his heart.

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What they’re saying

“It's only a $99 test. I mean, that $99 saved my life.”

— Ronnie Paul (13WMAZ)

“It wasn't a matter of if he had a heart attack, it was a matter of when, because he would have had one.”

— Dianne Paul, Ronnie Paul's wife (13WMAZ)

“When there's a narrowing in the coronary artery, it limits the blood flow to the heart muscle itself. This sometimes can cause chest pains or heart damage. Mr. Paul's case, he didn't have really either.”

— Dr. David Langford, Surgeon (13WMAZ)

What’s next

Doctors recommend that people between the ages of 40 and 70 who have a family history of heart disease, are former or current smokers, and have a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol consider getting a calcium scoring heart test.

The takeaway

This case underscores the value of preventive heart health screenings, even for seemingly healthy individuals. The $99 calcium scoring test was able to detect a life-threatening condition that Ronnie Paul was unaware of, allowing him to receive timely treatment and potentially save his life.