The Claim
Epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography is strongly correlated with the syntax score (r=0.74) and Grace score (r=0.68) in patients who survived ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In patients who survived a specific type of heart attack, the amount of fat around the heart measured by ultrasound is strongly linked to the severity of artery blockages and the predicted risk of death.
See the scientific wording
Epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography correlates strongly with the syntax score (r=0.74) and Grace score (r=0.68) in patients who survived ST-elevation myocardial infarction, indicating it reflects both anatomical disease severity and predicted mortality risk.
Excess fat around the heart releases chemicals that inflame the nearby heart arteries, making plaques unstable and more likely to rupture. This causes severe blockages and blood clots, which lead to heart attacks and increase the chance of death.
What the research says
1 studyIn people who survived a heart attack, the amount of fat around the heart seen on an ultrasound is closely tied to how bad their artery blockages are and how likely they are to die soon after — so measuring this fat can help doctors predict their risk.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.