What is aortic calcification and what does it mean for you ? with Andreas Klein
We regularly sit down and review a patient ’ s back scans with them before starting remedial treatment . On these reports , radiologists frequently report ‘ calcification of the abdominal aorta ’ as an incidental finding , especially in people over 50 .
The patient is often unaware that this finding has been made nor of its importance . It means that the patient ’ s major arteries started losing their normal elasticity , becoming stiffer , and are literally turning into bone .
Research shows that calcification of arterial walls truly ‘ resembles the process of osteogenesis ’ ( bone formation ). It involves the same cells , the same proteins and the same cell-cell communication molecules used in bones .
Studies clearly demonstrate the presence of osteoblasts ( bone forming cells ) and osteoclasts ( bone resorbing ) cells in vessel walls , the deposition of bone matrix proteins in the arterial wall , which once deposited , allow the crystallisation of hydroxyapatite ( calcium phosphate ).
In severe cases , fully formed bone is seen in arteries and valves ( Nicoll 2015 )
Such cardiovascular calcification is a systemic disease , ( Nicoll 2015 ) and is : 1 . a marker of generalised vascular disease
( Nicoll 2014 )
2 . significantly associated with raised blood pressure ( systolic ) and ( pulse ) ( Jensky 2010 )
3 . a likely contributor to calcium loss from bone ( Marulanda 2013 )
4 . an independent predictor of cardiovascular events such as : a . heart attack , stroke , b . bypass surgery , c . balloon angioplasty , d . stent placement , e . and all-cause mortality in both cardiovascular and renal patients ( Nicoll 2015 ).
A special type of CT scan , a Coronary Calcium Scan , can measure the degree of calcification of the arteries in your heart . This is given as a coronary artery calcium ( CAC ) score . People with a CAC of over 400 are almost 15 times more likely to have cardiovascular disease then those with a CAC of zero ( uncalcified arteries ). A 2004 doubleblind placebo-controlled study looked 181 postmenopausal women divided into three groups , who were given daily for three years either : 1 . a placebo 2 . minerals plus Vit D ( 500 mg calcium ,
10 mg zinc , 150 mg magnesium 8 mg vitamin D3 ) 3 . minerals plus Vit D , plus 1000 µ g vitamin K1 After three years the placebo and minerals plus vitamin D groups had worse arterial stiffness and higher pulse pressure . However , the arteries of the group receiving vitamin K remained flexible ( uncalcified ) and their pulse pressure remained normal .
Vitamin K is found in some greens and fermented foods , and is very important for maintaining cardiovascular as well as bone and dental health . Yet most patients attending the clinic have never heard of vitamin K , nor do they know which foods are good sources , and most will not be getting enough .
If you ’ d like to know more about how diet can help keep bones , teeth and blood vessels healthy , feel free to call us at the clinic .
SUFFERING constant BACK PAIN ? Want to ENJOY LIFE again ? Work & play like you used to after just a few sessions !
Andreas Klein Nutritionist & Remedial Therapist
BSc , Adv Dip Nut Med , DRM
I ’ ve personally developed this technique after 16 years experience :
“ After years of severe back pain I ’ m now enjoying golf , fully pain free and even started brick-laying again !” John Hasler , Glenmore Park
“ I ’ d given up really - I ’ d tried so many things . In just a couple of sessions the pain and muscle spasms had gone . I ’ d recommend your work to anyone .” Craig Gibson , Richmond
FREE OFFER !
If you ’ re sick of being in constant back pain CALL NOW for your FREE 30min Assessment Session !
Valued at $ 55
Remedial Muscle Elogation Therapy targets the cause of chronic back pain and inflammation to really eliminate them . This technique works well for shoulders and knees too !
Call Andreas 0418 166 269
TOLIVE
ACTIVE classes
Exercise classes suitable for pre-diabetes , type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes
Suitable exercise program for 50years + focusing on strength , balance and falls prevention .
Exercise program is delivered by health professionals and caters for all fitness levels . Walking aids are welcomed .
Greater West Exercise Physiology SOUTH WINDSOR Tuesday 10.30am / Thursday 10.30am Cost is $ 5 per session
Unit 5 / 74 Mileham Street South Windsor
North Richmond Neighbourhood Centre NORTH RICHMOND Cost is $ 5 per session
33 William Street North Richmond
Bligh Park Community Centre BLIGH PARK Cost is $ 5 per session
4 Sirius Road Bligh Park ( adjacent to shopping centre )
Richmond Uniting Church RICHMOND Cost is $ 5 per session
25 West Market Street Richmond
LOW IMPACT SESSIONS held on Monday & Wednesday 10.30am and Tuesday & Thursday 8.30am CIRCUIT CLASSES Tuesday & Thursdays at 5.30pm
Supervised exercise delivery by allied health professionals
$ 5 per session
Medicare referrals accepted
Unit 5 , 74 Mileham Street , SOUTH WINDSOR info @ funfastfitness . com . au
For information on attending the Move To Live Seniors Exercise program please contact 0404 871 484
0404 871 484 www . greaterwestexercisephysiology . com . au
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 142 // MARCH 2022 25