Posted on 11/30/2024 3:24:37 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores have become a non-invasive way for physicians to easily determine how much plaque has built up inside a patient's coronary arteries, but the question has been how accurate the score is in identifying women, as well as men, who are at high risk for a heart attack or death.
A study finds coronary artery calcium scores are not only highly effective in identifying those at risk for future heart attacks, but also for death, and risk prediction was found to be as good in women as in men.
Results found that in addition to predicting risk of coronary death and non-fatal heart attacks, coronary artery calcium scores also correlated to all-cause mortality. Researchers found that people with a score of zero were three times less likely to die from any cause.
Researchers reviewed the records of 19,495 women and 20,523 men who had undergone PET/CT scans because their physicians suspected they had a risk of heart disease, but who hadn't yet had a heart event, such as a heart attack.
Of these patients, 7,967 had a CAC score of zero, meaning they had no calcified plaque in their coronary arteries. Of this group, women on average were older than men (60.5 years for women, 53.8 for men), which correlates to how women often develop heart disease later in life than men, Dr. Anderson said.
Researchers then followed up on patients about two years later. They found that a zero CAC score predicted a low risk for coronary death or nonfatal heart attacks in both men and women. CAC scores of zero were more frequently observed in women despite having an older average age.
Researchers also found those with a zero CAC had three times lower risk of all-cause death or heart attack in both sexes.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I’ve had it done twice. If the score is not “0,” there are therapies to help reverse it, such as high dose vitamin K2-MK4.
“This test is well worth getting, and I know some who got it with a promo for $99.”
It’s about damn time that they moved on from their IDIOT obsession with LDL, or at least the way they applied the LDL number - all due to the drug companies pushing statins.
CAC, on the other hand, will help a lot (along with Triglyceride level).
Mine was thru the roof into “worst we’ve ever seen” territory.
Think I will defy the odds and stick around for a long while...
Thanks. I’ve never had the CAC test done. I just asked my cardiologist his opinion of the test.
“Koncentrated K”
Great supplement to move calcium out of arteries and into bones.
Take D3 also.
I had a zero and it gave me great relief, since I’ve declined statin treatment.
Mine was thru the roof into “worst we’ve ever seen” territory.
Think I will defy the odds and stick around for a long while...
Likewise. My PCP then ordered a stress test stat at a large heart-health hospital. I exceeded the treadmill time for my age/gender by 50%, and the stress test/color doppler echocardiogram show zero abnormalities in function/blood flow.
The chief cardiologist (of the 50 on staff) said CAC score is an indicator not an absolute - and that he’s got patients with a CAC score of 0 who have pronounced heart disease, and patients with a 5,000 CAC score who have no demonstrable heart disease.
He said if I maintained a proper weight and blood pressure, exercised, and took my statins (yes to the 1st three, NO to the statins) that my heart attack risk should be normal for my age. That was 6 years ago and thank the Lord I’ve had no heart issues to date.
Among other supplements, I’m taking 400 mcg of MK-7 daily to hedge my bet.
I had mine done 6 years ago. Been seeing a cardiologist annually ever since. I’ll ask him next time I see him if I should get another.
Highly recommended to all.
I have super high cholesterol and a CAC score of 12. Figure that one out for me because I can’t.
I had a score of 100 in 2003 that zoomed up to 1500 in 2010. Stress tests all showed me in better shape than most people my age. My current cardiologist says it is possible that my score zoomed up because I had quit smoking in 2002 and had also gone on statins . The body repairs itself by turning unstable plaque into calcium. Statins might speed that up. Also people who do a lot of aerobic activities like long distance bike riding, marathons etc. sometimes have high calcium scores but no increased risk of cardiovascular death.
Vitamin K2 is cheap. I’d rather spend the money on that rather than testing. Nattokinase and serrapeptase are also well worth taking.
Because cholesterol in itself does not cause heart disease. Some people have naturally high cholesterol because of genetics, and very physically fit people also tend to have higher cholesterol. They are called lean mass hyper responders.
The whole cholesterol thing was a scam run by a dishonest researcher (Ancel Keys) who cherry picked his data, throwing away anything that didn’t agree with his theory.
Same here (mine was 598). Had the stress test with the doppler echocardiogram, and that showed no issue. Still convinced me to take Repatha, as I refused all other statins. I tolerate it well and my numbers are great for the first time in decades. I figure at this age (66 in February), I ought to have something wrong, so every day is a gift. LoL
lean mass hyper responders
I’ve never heard that expression before. I guess it might apply to me. I’ll check it out. Thanks.
I’m taking 400 mcg of MK-7 daily to hedge my bet.
Thanks for that tip. I will try that also...
I am taking a statin after years of refusing to do so [and look at the results] and have to admit they are working, blood numbers-wise.
At this point...[over 70 yrs] the negative outcomes are outweighed by the short term bennies, imho.
You’re welcome. Statins (Crestor) almost immediately created excruciating muscle cramps that woke me up at 3 am., and I had to crawl to the bathroom. Docs pushed for me to try different kinds, but after doing more research about the alleged benefits vs. the documented downsides, I decided to pass.
I take 4 grams of “Omegavia” (eicosapentanoic acid) daily (shown in studies to reduce heart attack odds). Also, Truevantage makes a 180 mcg K2 that makes it easy to hit your target amount, and it’s a patented type that was used in clinical trials. I saw recent podcasts that also reported anti-cancer effects from 360 mcg of K2 (as well as cardio and bone benefits). Both of the above are available on Amazon.
Disclaimer...this is NOT medical advice, just what I do. Good luck!
What is MK-7 is it also a vitamin in the family with Vitamins K1 and K2?? I have been slowly adding supplements to my daily intake over the past 50 years, and the only time I got really sick in recent years was when my D3 level dropped into the INSUFFICIENT levels. It has been up again for the past 2 years. I am now 86 and my new doctor last year said my heart and lungs were just fine, and my most recent blood pressure was 124 over 60. For some years my former doctor was trying to convince me to take a stating which I refused.
Vitamin K has three available forms to purchase.
1. K1
2. K2-MK4
3. K2-MK7
The study that reversed calcium plaques used the first two.
MK7 hangs out in the body for days until it gets used, while the first two are used up in about four hours after taking them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.