Have you ever thought that a simple bone density test could potentially unveil critical information about your heart health? Well, groundbreaking research by Dr. Cassandra Smith and Dr. Marc Sim at East Coast University (ECU) has revealed just that.
“Women are recognised as being under screened and under-treated for cardiovascular disease.”
Dr. Smith’s innovative algorithm, originally designed for vertebral fracture assessment (VFA), was tested on images of older women undergoing routine bone density scans. To their surprise, the algorithm successfully detected the presence and extent of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in less than a minute for thousands of images – a task that would have taken an experienced reader five to six minutes per image.
“People who have AAC don’t present any symptoms, and without doing specific screening for AAC, this prognosis would often go unnoticed.”
The implications were staggering. Dr. Smith discovered that over half of the older individuals screened had moderate to high levels of AAC, with a quarter unaware they were at high risk of heart attack or stroke. This finding highlighted a crucial gap in current healthcare practices – the neglect of cardiovascular health in routine screenings.
But it didn’t end there. Dr. Sim’s analysis took it a step further by linking moderate to high AAC scores with an increased likelihood of fall-related hospitalizations and fractures among patients.
“The higher the calcification in your arteries, the higher the risk of falls and fracture.”
Traditionally, factors like previous falls, bone mineral density, and certain medications were used to predict fall risks. However, Dr. Sim emphasized that vascular health played a more significant role than commonly acknowledged.
He explained how assessing AAC through bone density scans provided valuable insights into patients’ vascular health status – an aspect often overlooked when evaluating fall and fracture risks.
In conclusion, this new machine algorithm not only revolutionizes how we interpret routine bone density tests but also sheds light on the intricate connection between vascular health and overall well-being. It underscores the importance of holistic healthcare approaches that consider every aspect of our bodies to ensure comprehensive treatment and prevention strategies are put in place early on.
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