Providing patients with blood vessel calcification imaging results may improve cardiovascular risk control

In a first-ever trial, researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) provided imaging results of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) to attempt to elicit behavioral changes to improve diet Diet, physical activity, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in older men and women.

The research was published in Natural communications.

AAC is a measure of advanced vascular disease, and people with calcification of the aorta are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke, said Dr. Simone Radavelli-Bagatini, a postdoctoral researcher at the ECU.

Using widely available bone density measuring devices and without the need for invasive testing, researchers identified abdominal aortic calcification in approximately 60% of men and women aged 60 to 80. In a randomized clinical trial, participants received either their abdominal aortic calcification imaging results, plus educational resources (intervention group), or training alone (control group).

“Our educational resources included a booklet and video with information on cardiovascular disease and recommendations for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, improving diet and increasing physical activity.

“We wanted to know if an individual’s awareness of their level of abdominal aortic calcification and visualization of their calcification in the abdominal aorta would enable them to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables and undertake healthy diets. other cardiovascular risk reduction strategies,” said Dr. Radavelli-Bagatini. .

Traditionally, the presence of calcifications in the coronary arteries around the heart is assessed using more expensive imaging technology and with high radiation levels.

In this study, calcification was assessed in the abdominal aorta using a bone density test, which has low radiation and low cost compared to traditional methods. With more than 600,000 people undergoing bone density testing each year to screen for osteoporosis, concurrent assessment of abdominal aortic calcification could be a game-changer.

“Our study is the first to examine whether providing individuals with their abdominal aortic calcification imaging results improved control of cardiovascular risk factors.”

Dr. Radavelli-Bagatini noted that participants in the intervention and control groups increased their fruit and vegetable intake over 12 weeks, with both groups experiencing similar improvements.

“There were no differences in fruit and vegetable consumption, diet quality or physical activity between the intervention and control groups after 12 weeks.

“However, providing abdominal aortic calcification in the intervention group improved some cardiovascular disease risk factors, including total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), compared with to witnesses.

“Despite continued public health messages and health promotion campaigns, most people fail to meet recommended healthy eating goals, particularly those related to fruit and vegetable consumption,” said Dr. Radavelli-Bagatini.

Lead author Dr. Josh Lewis, a Future Leader Fellow at the Heart Foundation, noted that while the results are promising, the next steps are to determine whether providing abdominal aortic calcification results to people , along with an evidence-based diet and lifestyle, will lead to longer term. improving diet, controlling risk factors for cardiovascular disease and ultimately preventing heart attacks and strokes.

Heart Foundation Chief Medical Advisor Mr Garry Jennings said it was important to encourage people to improve their behavior to make positive changes to their diet, physical activity and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease to help prevent heart disease.

“Most cardiovascular risk factors can be avoided through a healthy lifestyle, which includes a healthy diet, regular physical activity and a healthy weight.

“Since 1959, the Heart Foundation has invested in research to learn more about the cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart disease. We are proud to support this latest research from ECU as part of our goal to help eradicate heart disease, which remains the biggest killer of Australians,” Mr Jennings said.