Pericardial fat 'strongly linked to coronary disease'
Tuesday 16th August 2011
High levels of fat around the heart could be indicative of the early stages of coronary disease, according to recent findings.
In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, researchers showed that pericardial fat is more strongly linked to coronary artery plaque than other risk factors such as body mass index or waist circumference.
The formation of plaque leaves uneven deposits in the artery, causing the thickening of the artery wall on one side and the thinning of the other - the ratio of which is referred to as plaque eccentricity.
Lead author David A Bluemke said: "The individuals in this study had no symptoms and were otherwise healthy.
"They did not have significant coronary artery narrowing. Yet, despite this, they had coronary plaque that could be detected by MRI."
In other research news, scientists have found that factors such as ethnicity and weight are able to make an individual more or less predisposed to heart attack.
Written by Angela Newbury
Related articles
High blood pressure can be combated by ...
The risk of having a heart condition due to high blood pressure can be combated by pills that contain a variety of drugs. ...
Wednesday 16th May 2012
Stroke risk increased by irregular heartbeat in...
Strokes are among the biggest killers worldwide and new research has found that older women diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat...
Thursday 10th May 2012
Blood pressure drugs could help trauma victims
Blood pressure drugs could be the latest weapon to help trauma victims reduce the likelihood of getting severe post-traumatic...
Wednesday 2nd May 2012
Related Cardiac-Physiology Jobs
Cardiac Physiologist role available in Belast for a BSE accredited Echo Cardiographer to cover a 5 month locum opportunity....
Full infoWe are looking for a Locum Sleep Study Technician to cover day or night shifts within a central London Hospital, to start...
Full infoInterested in Cardiac Physiology jobs in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire area?We currently require qualified and experienced...
Full info