Comparison of low risk and higher risk profiles in middle age to frequency and quantity of coronary artery calcium years later.

Little is known about the relation of having favorable levels of all major cardiovascular risk factors (low risk [LR]) earlier in life to coronary artery calcium (CAC) later in life. From 2002 to 2003, CAC was compared in participants aged >60 years who were LR (n = 42) with those not LR (n = 39) at baseline (from 1967 to 1973). Despite adverse changes in risk factors, the prevalence of measurable CAC and mean CAC scores were less for LR participants than for non-LR participants (60% vs 77%, p = 0.09, and 217 vs 443, p = 0.05, respectively).