JAMA August 2026 Predictive Utility of Coronary Artery Calcium Score Added to the PREVENT Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Equations

This study examines whether measuring coronary artery calcium (CAC)—a marker of plaque buildup—improves the accuracy of a new medical tool called the PREVENT equations for predicting heart disease risk. Researchers analyzed data from over 6,000 adults to see if adding these heart scans to standard risk assessments helped doctors better categorize patients' 10-year chances of suffering a cardiovascular event. While the results showed only a modest improvementin overall predictive power, the data specifically justifies the selective use of CAC scoring for patients who fall into "borderline" or "intermediate" risk groups. Ultimately, the findings suggest that while the scans aren't necessary for everyone, they provide valuable reclassification for patients whose treatment path is currently unclear.