Healthy adults with high phosphate levels at ‘greater atherosclerosis risk’

Adults with higher levels of phosphate in the blood are at an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis or ‘hardening of the arteries’, says a new study.

The researchers found that subjects with higher phosphate levels were about 50 percent more likely to be at the highest level of coronary artery calcium, compared to those with lower phosphate levels.

Patients with kidney disease have increased phosphate levels, which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.