Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLMOct 11 2023 Doctors may be able to target these genes with existing medications – or possibly even nutritional supplements – to slow or halt the disease's progression.
Coronary artery calcification Even before people develop clinical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, doctors can detect calcium buildup inside the walls of the coronary arteries using non-invasive computed tomography scans. This reliable measure of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis strongly predicts future cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes, leading causes of death globally.
"Coronary artery calcification reflects the vessel's accumulation of lifetime exposure to risk factors," Miller said. "While previous studies from over a decade ago identified a handful of genes, it was clear that larger and more diverse studies would be necessary to begin to identify the pathways underlying coronary artery calcification."
Related StoriesTo validate their findings, the scientists conducted gene queries and experimental studies in human coronary artery tissues and smooth muscle cells and demonstrated direct effects on calcification and related cellular processes.