Coronary artery calcium scores can accurately assess cardiovascular risk for both men and women, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's annual Scientific Sessions Nov. 18.
Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health researchers analyzed EHRs of 19,495 women and 20,523 men who had not experienced a cardiovascular event, but were at a suspected risk of developing heart disease. Coronary artery calcium scores measure the plaque build up inside a patient’s coronary arteries through a PET or CT scan.
Here are five things to know from the study:
- Of these patients, 7,967 had a coronary artery calcium score of zero, meaning the patient had no calcified plaque in their coronary arteries.
- In a two-year follow-up, a zero coronary artery calcium score predicted a lower risk of coronary death or nonfatal heart attack for both men and women.
- Across men and women, a patient with a zero coronary artery calcium score was at a three times lower risk of all-cause death or heart attack.
- Coronary artery calcium scores of zero were more frequently observed in women despite being older, at 60.5, compared to 53.8 years for men within the study cohort.
- A recent study found that measuring breast arterial calcifications, benign calcium buildups that look like white parallel lines in mammograms, may improve cardiovascular risk in women.