Wednesday, February 10, 2010

November 06, 2009 18:04 PM

Phosphorus Level In Human Body Linked With Heart Disease

LOS ANGELES, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Higher blood level of phosphorus in the human body may predict a heart disease, China's Xinhua news agency reported citing a new study released Thursday in the United States.

By analysing nearly 900 healthy adults, researchers at the Providence Medical Research Centre in Spokane found the link between phosphorus level and coronary artery calcification (CAC), an early sign of hardening of the arteries.

"Even small increases in the blood level of phosphorus predicted an increased risk of progressive CAC in these apparently healthy adults," said Dr. Katherine R. Tuttle, a lead researcher in the study, which was released online Thursday and to be published in the December issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

The study found that all the participants who developed CAC had higher blood level of phosphorus. The association between phosphorus level and CAC is strong even after the researchers have adjusted for other factors, the study noted.

Researchers also found that people with lower kidney function -- even if not below the normal range -- were more likely to have progressive CAC.

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

-- BERNAMA

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