Heart attacks could be predicted years in advance with simple X-ray, study concludes
Researchers from Edith Cowan University say people with high levels of calcium in the aorta — the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the body — are up to four times more likely to suffer an attack. The discovery offers hope of more accurate screening for cardiovascular disease, the world’s number one killer.
“Heart disease is often a silent killer as many people don’t know they are at risk or that they have the early warning signs, such as abdominal or coronary artery calcification,” study lead author Professor Josh Lewis says in a university release.
“The abdominal aorta is one of the first sites where the build-up of calcium in the arteries can occur – even before the heart. If we pick this up early, we can intervene and implement lifestyle and medication changes to help stop the condition progressing.”
Learn more about the study here.
To assess your heart attack risk, call 405.607.4445 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Bargas.
|