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[Best Syndication News] Researchers see a link between increased phosphorus levels in the blood and an increased risk for calcification in the coronary arteries, which is considered a key measurement for heart disease risk. The study will be published in the November 5th issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

The co-researcher, Katherine R. Tuttle M.D., from Providence Medical Research Center in Spokane, Washington pointed out that early stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often seen with the person having an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

The researchers studied 900 healthy adults from the Spokane Heart Study. Previous studies found relationships with Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) and atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries. At the beginning of the Spokane Heart Study there were 28 percent of the participants that had CAC. After 6 years the researchers found 33 percent of the participants developed CAC. Those that had CAC initially had an increased amount during the follow up assessment.

The reasearchers found that even the smallest increase in measurement of phosphorus levels in the blood predicted an increased risk of progressive CAC in what was in otherwise healthy adults. The study was of otherwise healthy individuals.

Other recent studies have also found a link with higher phosphorus levels and increased CAC in patients that have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

To read the complete study you can visit http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/ and search for the the study titled "Longitudinal Relationships among Coronary Artery Calcification, Serum Phosphorus, and Kidney Function."

By: Marlene Donor