A blood test partnered with a scan is a powerful predictor of heart attack, say researchers at the University of California.

Imaging of the coronary arteries can show calcium deposits and so assess the amount of plaque blocking the vessel. In addition to this, a blood test for C-reactive protein (CRP) can reveal whether the plaque is unstable, and likely to rupture, triggering a heart attack. CRP has come to the fore recently in heart research, as a 'marker' for inflammation in the coronary vessels.

Researchers at the University of California have been following a group of more than 1,400 people with multiple risk factors for a heart attack. They measured their calcium deposits and CRP levels. After excluding those with diabetes (where calcium measurements aren't useful), they found a strong link between the risk of a heart attack and a high score on both calcium and CRP tests. It was the combination, rather than the individual results, that were most informative, say the researchers.

There's no case here for widespread screening, but the combined test could well be useful for people who do have multiple risk factors for heart attack. Those scoring high could, perhaps, be helped well before a cardiac event actually occurs.

Source

Circulation 1st October 2002