Risk factors for coronary calcification in older subjects The Rotterdam Coronary Calcification Study

• Published in: European heart journal Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 48 - 55
• Main Authors: OEI, Hok-Hay S, VLIEGENTHART, Rozemarijn, HOFMAN, Albert, OUDKERK, Matthijs, WITTEMAN, Jacqueline C. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.01.2004; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Calcinosis - diagnostic imaging; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary Disease - diagnostic imaging; Coronary heart disease; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Human; Radiodiagnosis; Calcium; Coronary artery; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary heart disease; Phlebology; Coronary disease; Risk factors; Vascular disease; Atherosclerosis; Risk factor; Calcification; Tomography; Circulatory system; Cardiology
• ISSN: 0195-668X; 1522-9645
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ehj.2003.10.008

We examined associations between cardiovascular risk factors and coronary calcification assessed by electron-beam tomography (EBT) in an unselected population of older subjects. The Rotterdam Coronary Calcification Study is a population-based study in subjects > =55 years. Participants underwent EBT scanning. Coronary calcification was quantified according to the Agatston score. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed 7 years before and concurrently to scanning. We used the first 2013 participants for the present analyses. Risk factors assessed 7 years before scanning were strongly associated with calcium score. Associations with blood pressure and cholesterol attenuated when measured concurrently to scanning. Although the number of risk factors was strongly associated with a high calcium score in asymptomatic subjects, 29% of the men and 15% of the women without risk factors had a high calcium score. This population-based study in older subjects shows that cardiovascular risk factors are associated with coronary calcification. Associations were stronger for risk factors measured at earlier age. Almost 30% of the men and 15% of the women without risk factors had extensive coronary calcification.