Boston, Massachusetts – Kilmer McCully, a former pathologist known for his controversial theory on the connection between homocysteine levels and heart disease, passed away at the age of 91. McCully’s research and findings, which suggested that high homocysteine levels could lead to heart disease, faced skepticism and scorn from the medical community for many years.
McCully’s theory first gained attention in the 1960s when he discovered a link between high homocysteine levels and a rare genetic disorder that caused premature death from heart attacks in young children. However, despite his groundbreaking research, McCully’s theory was met with resistance and criticism from mainstream cardiologists and medical professionals who believed that cholesterol was the primary factor in heart disease.
Throughout his career, McCully continued to defend his theory, publishing papers and conducting research to support his claims. Despite facing backlash and being forced to resign from his position at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Providence in 2002, McCully remained committed to his belief in the homocysteine-heart disease connection.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in McCully’s theory as more research has emerged highlighting the role of homocysteine in cardiovascular health. While McCully may have been ahead of his time, his dedication to challenging conventional thinking leaves a lasting legacy in the field of cardiology.
McCully’s passing marks the end of a career marked by controversy and perseverance. Despite the challenges he faced, his contributions to the understanding of heart disease have left a lasting impact on the medical community.