Measuring Calcium Deposits in Hearts Arteries
Predicts Heart Attack Risk in Elderly
Calcium scans can be the best predictor
available to detect who is likely to suffer a heart attack
July
2, 2008 Senior citizens who worry if they are at risk of a heart
attack, which probably includes about all of them, may be surprised by a
very large new study that finds measuring calcium deposits in the
heart's arteries is probably the best way to predict overall death risk
in American adults, even when they are elderly.
Previous studies had found measuring coronary
arterial calcium with computed tomography (CT) heart scans could predict
overall death risks in most American adults, according to the study
published in the July issue of Journal of the American College of
Cardiology.
But this new study is the first extensive
examination of coronary arterial scans of the elderly, says Matthew J.
Budoff, M.D., one of the authors and a researcher at the Los Angeles
Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed.
"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.
This study indicates coronary arterial scans are effective in measuring
overall death risk in the elderly."
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. These calcifications
can block blood vessels and cause heart attacks, strokes or other health
issues.
About Calcium
You have more calcium in your body than
any other mineral and it has many important jobs.
The body stores more than 99 percent of
its calcium in the bones and teeth to help make and keep them
strong. The rest is throughout the body in blood, muscle and the
fluid between cells.
Your body needs calcium to help muscles
and blood vessels contract and expand, to secrete hormones and
enzymes and to send messages through the nervous system.
It is important to get plenty of calcium
in the foods you eat. Foods rich in calcium include diary
products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, and leafy, green
vegetables.
The exact amount of calcium you need
depends on your age and other factors. Growing children and
teenagers need more calcium than young adults.
Older women need plenty of calcium to
prevent
osteoporosis.
People who do not eat enough high-calcium
foods should take a calcium supplement.
Researchers studied 35,383 adults, aged 40 to 80,
in Torrance, CA and Nashville, TN, 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.
In total, 838 deaths were recorded, 320 in women
and 518 in men. The study found the overall death risk was higher among
those with higher coronary arterial calcium scores.
"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."
About LA BioMed
Founded 56 years ago, LA BioMed is one of the
country's largest not-for-profit independent biomedical research
institutes. It conducts biomedical research, trains young scientists and
provides community services, including childhood immunization, nutrition
assistance and anti-gang violence programs. The institute's researchers
conduct studies in such areas as cardio-vascular disease, emerging
infections, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, dermatology, reproductive
health, vaccine development, respiratory disorders, inherited illnesses
and neonatology.
LA BioMed is an independent institute that is
academically affiliated with the David Geffen School of Medicine at
UCLA. The institute is located on the campus of Harbor-UCLA Medical
Center near Torrance.
July
2, 2008 Senior citizens who worry if they are at risk of a heart
attack, which probably includes about all of them, may be surprised by a
very large new study that finds measuring calcium deposits in the
heart's arteries is probably the best way to predict overall death risk
in American adults, even when they are elderly.