Most Accurate Heart Attack Foreshadowing Method Without Surgery Involvement
Calcification: Beyond the Heart
Let's talk about calcification, a topic that most people only associate with their cardiovascular health. But did you know that it could also play a role in pathological aging?
Plaque buildup in our arteries consists of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in our blood. Over time, this plaque hardens and narrows our arteries, potentially leading to heart problems.
To assess plaque buildup in patients, doctors use coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores. These scores are obtained through a non-invasive CT scan of the heart. The more calcium deposited in the arteries, the higher the score.
Interestingly, calcium tends to accumulate long before significant blockages develop. That's why obtaining a CAC score can help detect coronary artery disease much earlier, way before a stress test would show any issues.
Recently, researchers from Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City sought to determine the accuracy of CAC scores in identifying individuals at high risk of heart attacks or death. They reviewed the health records of nearly 40,000 patients who had undergone PET/CT scans due to suspected heart disease but had not yet experienced a heart event.
Out of this group, about 8,000 patients had a CAC score of zero, indicating no plaque in their coronary arteries. Men in this group were, on average, 8 years younger than women, reflecting the fact that women often develop heart disease later in life compared to men.
The study followed up on these patients about two years later. The results showed that a CAC score of zero predicted a low risk for coronary death or non-fatal heart attacks in both men and women. Interestingly, zero CAC scores were observed more frequently in women despite their older average age. Furthermore, those with a CAC score of zero had a three times lower risk of all-cause death or heart attack in both sexes.
Jeffrey L. Anderson, the principal investigator of the study, described the CAC score as an "excellent and accurate indicator of health and overall prognosis, even beyond heart disease."
So, maintaining a healthy lifestyle seems crucial to ensuring a desirable CAC score. A CAC score below 10 is associated with very low cardiovascular risk, particularly for men over 55 and women over 60.
If your CAC score is 10 or higher, various steps can help prevent further plaque buildup. Adopting a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle is vital. Certain nutrients, such as vitamin K2, magnesium, and IP-6 (or phytic acid), are known to support artery health [1].
Vitamin K2, abundant in foods like cheese, beef liver, chicken, egg yolk, and sauerkraut, plays a significant role in regulating calcium storage in the body. Low levels of vitamin K2 can disrupt calcium binding, leading to the loss of calcium from bones and contributing to calcification in the arteries.
Magnesium-rich foods like almonds, cashews, chia seeds, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds help lower calcium levels, while IP-6 found in seeds and nuts inhibits calcification of the arteries.
Embracing heart health goes a long way in maintaining a low CAC score and lowering the risk of cardiovascular events.
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[1] Emerging evidence from animal and clinical studies has associated low vitamin K2 levels with calcification and an elevated risk of heart problems.
[2] In a study of 4807 subjects over 7 years, those with the highest tertile intake of menaquinone (vitamin K2) compared to the lowest resulted in a significant risk reduction in coronary heart disease.
[3] Maintaining a low coronary artery calcium score involves adopting heart-healthy lifestyle and dietary habits.
[4] Lifestyle measures like regular exercise, controlling other risk factors, and stress management are essential in maintaining a lower CAC score and reducing cardiovascular risk.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including fitness and exercise, nutrition, and addressing chronic diseases like heart conditions, could help lower the risk of developing calcification in the arteries and even contribute to pathological aging.
- Vitamin K2, a nutrient that supports artery health, is found in foods like cheese, beef liver, chicken, egg yolk, and sauerkraut, and plays a significant role in regulating calcium storage in the body, potentially reducing the risk of calcification in the arteries.
- A healthy prostate is vital for overall well-being, and adopting a heart-healthy diet and lifestyle, as advised for maintaining a low CAC score, could also support prostate health.
