SPJ Publication
Innovative Journal of Medical Imaging
Open Access Original Research

Correlation Between Coronary Artery Calcium Score and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Zahir Hassan, *

* Corresponding author: Hafiz Raja

DOI10.62502/ijmi/v3i2art2
Pages 8–14Language ENLicenceCC BY-NC 4.0 Crossmark XML metadata
  1. Received24 Feb 2026
  2. Accepted25 Apr 2026
  3. Published25 May 2026

Abstract

Background: Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) is a non-invasive imaging marker of coronary atherosclerosis and an important predictor of future cardiovascular events. This study evaluated the correlation between CACS and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January to March 2026 involving 48 patients aged ≥40 years who underwent coronary calcium scoring by non-contrast multidetector computed tomography. Demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and family history of coronary artery disease, were recorded. Coronary calcification was quantified using the Agatston scoring method.

Results: The study included 31 (64.6%) males and 17 (35.4%) females, with a mean age of 58.3 ± 9.6 years. Hypertension (60.4%), dyslipidemia (52.1%), and diabetes mellitus (43.8%) were the most common risk factors. Coronary calcium scores were 0 in 25.0% of patients, 1–99 in 31.3%, 100–399 in 27.1%, and ≥400 in 16.6%. Higher CACS was significantly associated with increasing age, male gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity. Patients with multiple risk factors demonstrated greater coronary calcification.

Conclusion: CACS showed a significant positive correlation with established cardiovascular risk factors and may serve as a valuable tool for cardiovascular risk stratification and early detection of subclinical coronary artery disease.

Keywords

Coronary Artery Calcium Scorecardiovascular risk factorscoronary artery diseaseatherosclerosiscomputed tomography

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