Comparison of frequency of coronary artery calcium in healthy hispanic versus non-hispanic white men by electron beam computed tomography

We recently demonstrated in subjects referred for the evaluation of cardiovascular disease that coronary atherosclerosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC) were reduced in Hispanics compared with non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). We now evaluate whether this ethnic disparity is present in a unselected healthy cohort of men. Despite the apparently worse risk factor profile, mean and median levels of CAC trended lower in Hispanic men, and the distribution of CAC scores differed from that of NHW (p <0.05), with fewer Hispanic subjects having CAC scores that are generally equated with extensive atherosclerotic burden (>400). These results demonstrate that healthy Hispanic men have reduced CAC compared with age-matched NHW men and this occurs despite evidence for a worse cardiovascular risk profile. (C)2003 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.