A new study says that assessing the calcium deposits in the arteries of the heart can help predict death risk in older people.
Lead researcher Matthew J. Budoff at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Centre (LA BioMed), said that previous studies had found measuring coronary arterial calcium with computed tomography (CT) heart scans could predict overall death risks in most American adults.
Calcium and Vitamin Supplements
Calcium and vitamin supplements are taken to provide the body with the ''required'' nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Vitamins are very important nutrients for the body.
Calcium and vitamin supplements are taken to provide the body with the ''required'' nutrients. Calcium is a mineral found in many foods. Vitamins are very important nutrients for the body.
"This study indicates calcium scans can be the best predictor currently available to detect who is likely to suffer a heart attack and who is not," said Dr. Budoff.
"Previous studies found coronary arterial calcium scans were effective tools for determining the overall death risk in young adults, diabetics, smokers and those suffering from renal failure.
Animation on Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) is performed to restore the blood supply to areas of heart that have been reduced or has no blood supply due to blockage in the artery.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) is performed to restore the blood supply to areas of heart that have been reduced or has no blood supply due to blockage in the artery.
A calcium scan looks for calcification - or a hardening of the arteries caused by high blood fats and calcium deposits - in the arteries leading to and from the heart.
Advertisement
Animation of heart attack symptoms
Heart attack can cause symptoms such as Chest pain or discomfort, Shortness of breath and pain in neck, back, arm, or shoulder and is due to blockage of blood supply to the heart muscles
Heart attack can cause symptoms such as Chest pain or discomfort, Shortness of breath and pain in neck, back, arm, or shoulder and is due to blockage of blood supply to the heart muscles
During the study, the researchers analysed 35,383 adults, aged 40 to 80, in for an average of 5.8 years after having a coronary artery calcium scan. Among these research volunteers, 3,570 were age 70 or older.
Advertisement
Heart Disease Risk may Be Identified by Better Screening Methods
Researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that increased screening may identify more people who are at risk of developing heart disease.
Researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that increased screening may identify more people who are at risk of developing heart disease.
"This study provides additional validation of coronary calcium studies," said Dr. Budoff.
"Coronary arterial calcium scans can be very useful tools in assessing a patient's overall death risk. With this information, physicians can advise patients on diet, medications, exercise and other lifestyle changes that will help them avoid the risk of heart attack, strokes and other health problems," he added.
The new study is published in the July issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Source-ANI
RAS/S
