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Serum calcium concentration and carotid artery plaque: a population-based study
Nobukazu Ishizaka1, Yuko Ishizaka, Eiko Takahashi
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Medicine, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655.
Journal of Cardiology
|March 27, 2002
Summary
Elevated serum calcium levels are linked to an increased risk of developing carotid plaque, a key indicator of cardiovascular disease. This study highlights serum calcium as an independent predictor for carotid plaque formation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biochemistry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Serum calcium levels are implicated in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease outcomes.
- Limited large-scale studies have explored the relationship between serum calcium and carotid plaque.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum calcium concentration and the presence of carotid plaque.
- To determine if serum calcium is an independent predictor of carotid plaque.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cross-sectional study of 5,732 health screening participants (1994-2000).
- Carotid artery ultrasonography performed for plaque detection.
- Serum calcium values adjusted for albumin concentration prior to analysis.
Main Results:
- Carotid plaque was detected in 23% of subjects.
- Higher serum calcium levels were observed in subjects with carotid plaque (p < 0.001).
- Multivariate analysis identified serum calcium as an independent positive predictor (OR 1.70; 95% CI: 1.50-1.92).
Conclusions:
- Serum calcium is an independent risk factor for carotid plaque.
- Higher serum calcium concentrations are associated with a significantly increased risk of carotid plaque.