Preventive cardiologyEffect of Patient Visualization of Coronary Calcium by Electron Beam Computed Tomography on Changes in Beneficial Lifestyle Behaviors
Section snippets
Methods
A total of 1,215 consecutive asymptomatic patients referred for EBCT risk assessment by their primary physician were sent a survey questioning them about health behaviors. Demographic characteristics, hospitalizations, surgeries, physician-diagnosed diseases, current medications, including statin utilization, aspirin (ASA) use, and vitamin/antioxidant utilization, as well as lifestyle behaviors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and diet were determined using structured
Results
There were a total of 980 patients with complete follow-up information. The majority of the study population were men (n = 766, 78%). The mean age of the study population was 60 ± 8 years. These patients were followed for 3 ± 2 years (range 1 to 10 years).
The subjects were divided into 4 groups based on their CAC scores (i.e., CAC = 0, CAC = 1 to 99, CAC = 100 to 399, and CAC ≥400). Among our subjects, 234 (24%) had a CAC score of 0, 331 (33%) had a CAC score 1 to 99, 212 (22%) had a CAC score
Discussion
Our study shows that knowledge about the results of increased CAC on EBCT scan was significantly associated with initiation of risk-reducing behaviors. Subjects with EBCT scans showing increased CAC were more likely to initiate ASA use, participate in regular exercise, and have a healthy diet.
Despite extensive validation for the use of EBCT as a screening test to detect subclinical coronary artery disease, there is limited knowledge of the extent to which EBCT scan results motivate individuals
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