Unexpected factor increasing risk of early death revealed## Conversation

Clean arteries - the key to longevity: scientists have proven the connection between the absence of calcium in blood vessels and life expectancy

As reported by TUT.AZ, sensational research results were presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) conference.

Scientists from the prestigious Intermountain Health clinic in Salt Lake City conducted a large-scale analysis of medical data from more than 40 thousand patients with high risk of cardiovascular diseases. All participants underwent comprehensive examination using advanced PET/CT stress test technology, combining positron emission and computed tomography to detect various pathological processes in the body.

The study revealed an intriguing picture: 7,967 people had arteries completely free of calcium deposits, while the vast majority - 32,051 patients - showed various degrees of calcification. Five-year follow-up of participants brought striking results: the presence of any level of calcium deposits in the arteries increased the risk of premature death by 2-3 times. At the same time, researchers discovered an unexpected fact - only a quarter of patients with calcification died directly from cardiovascular diseases.

"We don't yet know exactly why calcium in the arteries correlates with mortality from non-cardiac causes. The next step will be to study the causes of death and their exact classification," commented Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD and lead author of the study.