This is a helpful exposition, thanks, David. The only point of taking such tests is to do something different lifestyle- or treatment-wise based on the results. We all already know what the major risk factors are and what lifestyle choices are more or less likely to lead to a cardiac event.

I have only three significant risk factors: being male (can't help it), being 71 (ditto), and slightly elevated LDL. Lifelong non-smoker, light drinker, exercise 4-5 times/week for the past 44 years, eat well -- but I enjoy my sweets. I don't want to be on my deathbed thinking "I wish I'd eaten more chocolate." If my LDL chops a few years off my life, I'm okay with that. Quality of life is more important than duration to me.