• The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a long term (epidemiologic) study of 6000 men and women who have undergone calcium scoring.
• 2684 nondiabetic women under the age of 79 with low ATP risk and no symptoms underwent a calcium screening heart scan.  They were followed for 3.75 years for cardiac events (e.g. heart attack).
• Coronary artery calcium was present in 32% of the low-risk women, leading to a 6 fold greater risk of cardiac events than women with no calcium.

Comment:

We agree with the findings of this study.

It is well known that the traditional risk factor assessments that physician use to predict heart attack risk underestimate a persons true risk. 

Calcium scoring is a useful tool in selective patients that increases your physician’s ability to predict if you are an increased risk for heart attack/cardiac death.

We have used calcium scoring in our practice since 1996.  Unfortunately, this test is NOT COVERED by medical insurance.  Private insurance and Medicare DO NOT COVER preventative testing. 

Author:  Gregg M. Yamada, MD FACC