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Heart scan may predict mortality risk over 15 years

Published

9 years ago

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New York: A simple x-ray test that looks for early signs of coronary artery disease could help doctors identify if you are at risk of dying over the next 15 years, says a new study.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) scans could help physicians identify patients at risk for premature death, the findings showed.

CAC is an x-ray test that looks for specks of calcium in the walls of the coronary arteries. These specks of calcium are called calcifications and are an early sign of coronary artery disease.

“These findings give us a better understanding of the importance of coronary calcium scans to predict mortality,” said lead researcher Leslee Shaw, professor of cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine in the US.

For the study, the researchers collected and assessed CAC scores and risk factor data taken from 9,715 study participants between the years 1996 and 1999.

The patients showed no symptoms of coronary artery disease at the time of the scans.

Researchers found that the CAC score accurately predicted all-cause mortality up to 15 years in the asymptomatic patients.

“Patients with high calcium scores might be advised by their physicians to adopt healthier lifestyles, which could lead to better outcomes and potentially help lengthen their lives,” Shaw pointed out.

The study appeared online in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

Published

3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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