Research at the University of California at Irvine’s (UCI) Heart Disease Prevention Program has confirmed that high levels of calcium in coronary arteries are strong predictors of heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

"Our study points out that there’s a wide range in risk for cardiovascular consequences seen in persons with metabolic syndrome and diabetes and that screening of coronary calcium by heart scans — and, to a lesser extent, carotid arteries by ultrasound — may be helpful in picking out those most vulnerable," says Nathan Wong, director of the Heart Disease Prevention Program and senior author of the study.

"Our findings also suggest that individuals with significantly high levels of coronary calcium or carotid wall thickness should receive more aggressive monitoring and treatment for any associated risk factors," adds co-author Dr. Shaista Malik, a UCI cardiologist.