Coronary Artery Calcium in Early Midlife Is Associated with Excess Coronary Heart Disease Risk

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a strong predictor of adverse coronary heart disease (CHD) events in older adults. In this study, researchers determined whether CAC in younger adults (age range, 32–46) is associated with incident CHD (myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or coronary revascularization) during the next decade. Analysis involved more than 3000 adults (55% women; 45% black) who underwent CAC scanning in the CARDIA study (NEJM JW Cardiol Jul 2014 and Circulation 2014; 130:10).

At a mean age of 40, prevalence of any CAC (i.e., Agatston score >0) was 10%. During median follow-up of 12.5 years, CHD incidence correlated with CAC scores as follows:

• 5% in those with scores of 1 to 19

• 11% in those with scores of 20 to 99

• 26% in…