Calcium uptake in primary arteries outside the heart could predict future heart attack or stroke, a new study led by Edith Cowan University has shown.
Published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research could help doctors identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease years before symptoms arise.
Analyzing 52 previous studies, the international team of researchers found that people with abdominal aortic dissection (AAC) have a two to four times higher risk for future cardiovascular event.
The study also found that the more calcium in the wall of the blood vessel, the greater the risk of future cardiovascular events and people with AAC and kidney disease were at even greater risk. than those from the general population with AAC.
Calcium can build up in the wall of the blood vessel and harden the arteries, blocking the blood supply or causing plaque disorder, which is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Factors that contribute to artery occlusion include poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and genetics.
Predicting ‘silent killing’
Lead researcher Professor Josh Lewis of the ECU School of Medical and Health Sciences, and Fellow of the Heart Foundation’s Director of Income, said the findings offer important insights for cardiovascular health.
“Heart disease often kills silently because many people are unaware that they are at risk or have the early warning signs, such as abdominal or coronary artery bypass,” he said.
“The abdominal aorta is one of the first sites where calcium uptake in the arteries can occur – even before the heart. If we build this early, we can take intervention and lifestyle and medication changes. action to stop the situation from escalating. “
Saving lives
Professor Lewis hopes the discovery will help more people understand their own risk from having a heart attack or stroke.
“Abdominal aortic dissection is often caused by accident in many routine tests, such as late scans of the spine from bone density devices or x-rays, and now we have a much better idea of the prognosis in these people when to be seen, “he said.
“This can be an early warning to doctors that they need to monitor and assess the patient’s risk of heart attack or stroke.
“Ultimately, if we can identify this condition more quickly, people can make lifestyle changes and start preventative treatment earlier, which could save many lives in the future.”
The international study included researchers from INSERM, the Hinda and Marcus Institute for Aging Research, the University of Sydney, the University of Western Australia and the University of Minnesota.
The study builds on Professor Lewis’ s recent study on the use of bone density scans and artificial intelligence to identify and quantify abdominal aortic aneurysms.
A promising future
Professional Professor Josh Lewis is supported in his role at ECU by the Australian Heart Foundation’s Head of National Futures Fellowship.
Heart Foundation clinical evidence manager Amanda Buttery welcomed the study.
“The researchers found that evidence of abdominal aortic regurgitation in patients without known cardiovascular disease may indicate the need for a more complete cardiovascular risk assessment, including blood pressure and a cholesterol test or Study Heart Health, “Ms Buttery said.
“The findings are promising, and the Heart Foundation would like to see more research in this area. ”
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‘Predictive value of abdominal aortic calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies’ was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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