Health News

CT Scans Outperform Genetic Testing in Predicting Heart Disease Risk During Middle Age

According to a new study, CT scans have been more effective than genetic testing in estimating heart disease risk during middle age. Researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine compared the coronary artery calcium score and the polygenic risk score, which are two risk markers for coronary heart disease, in a cohort of middle-aged and older adults. 

The study found that adding the coronary artery calcium score to traditional risk markers improved the accuracy of individual coronary heart disease risk assessment. The coronary artery calcium score strongly predicts future coronary heart disease and can be detected using CT scans. 

The study highlights the importance of incorporating CT scans into assessing heart disease risk, particularly for middle-aged and older adults. With cardiovascular disease being a leading cause of death worldwide, accurately estimating individual risk can help in prevention and early intervention efforts.