Something as simple as a coronary calcium scan could prove to be a lifesaving exam for firefighters, who face a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new report out of the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
In the study, researchers examined asymptomatic firefighters, ages 40 and over, from three counties in Maryland between 2016-2018. None of the participants reported any known cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Their blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and medications were evaluated. Each participant underwent a coronary calcium scan as well. A more detailed subset, that took into account lifestyle (diet, smoking, exercise, etc), family history, and atheroschlerotic cardiovascular disease risk scores, was also evaluated.
Results indicated that 191 (39%) of participants had a coronary calcium score greater than zero. Additionally, 91% of those with a risk score greater than zero had scores that were above average for their age, sex and ethnicity. Older age, male gender, increased BMI and hypertension were all linked with the presence of calcium.
Of those who were found to have coronary artery calcium, 141 (74%) were not on any sort of lipid-lowering medication. The detailed subset showed that 30 (30%) of those participants had coronary artery calcium. And among that group, 28 (93%) had an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score less than 7.5%.
This study shows that if the initial atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease scores were used alone to assess the risk of future disease among these firefighters, all of whom were asymptomatic, their coronary calcium may have gone undetected and, therefore, untreated.
Implementing the coronary calcium scans enables providers to detect cardiovascular risks well before symptoms are present, which is especially crucial with a high risk demographic like firefighters. The study recommends applying a comprehensive cardiovascular disease prevention program early on in a firefighter’s career to help reduce future risk, and even death.
You can read the full report here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.