Heart scan surprise: notifying patients boosts statin use

NCT ID NCT05588895

Completed Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether notifying patients and their doctors about calcium found in the heart arteries on a routine chest CT scan would lead to more people starting statin medications. Researchers enrolled 202 adults who had this incidental finding and randomly assigned them to receive a notification or usual care. The main goal was to see if the notification increased new statin prescriptions within six months.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: notification of coronary artery calcification findings
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could help more people start cholesterol-lowering medication early, potentially reducing heart attacks and strokes.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study focused on changing prescription rates, not on actual heart outcomes. The effect may vary by clinic and patient population.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

coronary atherosclerosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CORONARY ARTERY CALCIFICATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

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