Are elevated coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores associated with higher rates of long-term CHD and CVD mortality in young adults?
Elevated coronary artery calcium scores in young adults are associated with significantly higher rates of CHD and CVD mortality, suggesting potential utility for clinical decision-making in select high-risk individuals.
In a large sample of young adults undergoing CAC testing for clinical indications, 34.4% had CAC, and those with elevated CAC scores had significantly higher rates of CHD and CVD mortality. Coronary artery calcium may have potential utility for clinical decision-making among select young adults at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
Miedema et al. (2019) studied this question.