Small Increases In Phosphorus Mean Higher Risk Of Heart Disease

Higher levels of phosphorus in the blood are linked to increased calcification of the coronary arteries a key marker of heart disease risk, according to a study in an upcoming issue of Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). “This may help to explain why even early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk that is not otherwise explained by traditional risk factors,” comments Katherine R. Tuttle, MD (Providence Medical Research Center, Spokane, WA).

The study looked at the relationship between phosphorus levels and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in nearly 900 healthy adults from the Spokane Heart Study, a long-term study of heart disease risk factors. Previous studies have linked CAC an early sign of atherosclerosis (”hardening of the arteries”) to an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and other cardiovascular events. At the start of the study, 28 percent of the participants had CAC.

After six years’ follow-up, another 33 percent of participants had developed CAC. For those who already had CAC, the level of CAC increased during follow-up.

The relationship between phosphorus levels and CAC remained significant even after adjustment for other factors. “Even small increases in the blood level of phosphorus predicted an increased risk of progressive CAC in these apparently healthy adults,” says Tuttle. The phosphorus-related increase in CAC was comparable to that seen with traditional heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

In addition, participants with lower levels of kidney function even if not below the normal range were more likely to have progressive CAC. Recent studies have linked higher phosphorus levels to increased CAC in patients with CKD as well.

“Our results may help explain why even early-stage CKD is associated with increased cardiovascular risk that is not explained by traditional risk factors,” says Tuttle. More research will be needed to see if treatments to lower phosphorus levels can reduce heart disease risk in people with early-stage CKD, or even those without CKD who have CAC.”

The study had some important limitations, including the use of estimated kidney function levels. In addition, it did not address several factors that can affect phosphorus levels, such as parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. - ASN

Go to Source

People who read this also read

• Hemorrhoid and Pregnancy
  Because of the pressure exerted by the growing fetus on the hemorrhoidal veins, pregnant women are highly susceptible to developing hemorrhoids. Increased levels of the female sex hormones can also we...
• The Dangers of Hypochlorhydria (Low Stomach Acid)
  What Are the Dangers of Hypochlorhydria? Because the normal production of stomach acid is vital to the digestive process, and therefore the release of nutrients into the body, Hypochlorhydria can lea...
• Maternal-fetal disease information as a source of exercise motivation during pregnancy.
  Conclusion: Information grounded in PMT is effective in influencing pregnant women’s beliefs and intentions as well as changing their initial behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all righ...
• Beating the diabetes bulge | Neville Rigby
  With cases of obesity-related type 2 diabetes due to double by 2030, we must – and can – do better than drug therapyWe often hear about diabetes as one of the downsides of obesity – and now the United...
• Wilson Disease
  Wilson disease is an inherited condition that causes the body to retain excess copper. The liver of a person who has Wilson's disease does not release copper into bile as it should. As the copper buil...
• Constipation natural laxative
  Constipation is one of the most common gastro-intestinal ailments all over the world; though consulting a doctor for it is very uncommon unless severe. The fact that chemical laxatives do cause depend...
• Crohn’s Disease Diet
  If you have Crohn's disease, you probably have found that certain foods trigger your intestinal symptoms, especially when the disease flares. Learning to avoid these food triggers may allow you to sel...
• About Gastroparesis
  What is gastroparesis? Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down ...
• Cirrhosis Causes
  Several processes can lead to cirrhosis. Alcoholism Alcoholism particularly endangers the liver. Alcoholic cirrhosis (also sometimes referred to as portal, Laennec's, nutritional, or micronodular ci...
• Role of surgical management in temporal bone fibrous dysplasia.
  Conclusion: Surgical treatment of fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone (TBFD) revealed relatively good outcomes. Also, active surgical intervention is necessary to prevent the formation of secondary...