Cardiovascular risk in women can be predicted by a single blood test

Press release

Sunday August 31, 2020

Early detection and treatment of inflammation, lipids and diabetes can be improved by measuring these parameters in middle age.

The National Institutes of Health has funded research that shows that measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), a measure of inflammation and two different types of blood fats, along with CRP, can help predict a woman's future risk of cardiovascular disease. The findings were presented at the 2024 European Society of Cardiology Congress as late-breaking work. New England Journal of Medicine.

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The study was led by Paul M. Ridker, MD, who is also director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Researchers collected medical data and blood samples from 27,939 U.S.-based healthcare professionals who participated in the Women's Health Study. The study followed women who began the research between 1992 and 1995, at an average age of 55. They were then followed for 30 years. During that time, 3,662 study participants suffered a heart attack, stroke, surgery to restore circulation, or cardiovascular death. The researchers assessed how high-sensitivity CRP levels and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol You can also learn more about the following: lipoprotein(a)These events were predicted by.

Participants were divided into five groups, based on their performance levels. Actions to be taken Each of the markers. The researchers found that women who had the highest LDL levels had a higher risk of heart disease than their counterparts with lower levels. The researchers found that women with high LDL levels had a 33% increased risk of heart disease, while those with higher CRP levels faced a 70% increase.

Higher levels of LDL, CRP, and Lp(a) were associated with a 1.5-fold increased risk of heart disease. Touching a chord with a friend More than three times the associated risk Coronary heart disease Comparison of women with the lowest level of education.

The researchers note that although only women's outcomes were assessed in the study, researchers would expect similar results in men.

Ahmed AK said, “Over the past few years, we’ve learned how levels of inflammation can interact with cholesterol to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,” Hasan, MD, PhD, a physician and program director at the NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. That helps explain why low levels of a substance are generally better.

Immune cells that help the body heal from infection or wounds can sense cholesterol buildup or become activated in response to plaque buildup and send out inflammatory signals. This creates a hyper-inflammatory environment, where plaque can form, grow or rupture, leading to cardiovascular problems.

Researchers emphasize the importance of primary prevention to support optimal cardiovascular well-being. This includes regular exercise, healthy eating, stress management, and stopping or avoiding smoking. For those at increased risk, other measures may include using medications that lower cholesterol or reduce inflammation. Researchers have found that taking steps to improve heart and vascular function earlier can have a positive impact on health years or decades later.

Statins, for example, are widely available and can treat LDL cholesterol. Standard screening guidelines for Lp(a), CRP, and AFP may differ.

Some countries suggest screening for Lpa, because high levels may be due to genetic risks. Doctors may order Lp(a), in areas like the United States that don't have universal screening. This includes people who are heart patients or have a history of heart disease. Researchers are working to improve treatment for those with high levels.

CRP testing also varies. Screening is often based on a patient’s underlying risk factors or at the discretion of the provider. The Food and Drug Administration approved colchicine in 2023, an anti-inflammatory treatment previously prescribed for gout. The goal is to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with atherosclerosis. Other anti-inflammatory approaches and therapies are currently under investigation.

The NHLBI funded this research.HL043851, HL080467 » HL099355The National Cancer Institute (CA047988, CA182913).

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: NHLBI, a global leader, conducts and supports research on heart, blood, lung and sleep diseases that improves public health care and saves lives. Visit the website for more information. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

The National Institutes of Health: The NIH is the medical research agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It includes 27 institutes and centers. The NIH, the nation's medical research agency, is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is responsible for conducting basic, translational, clinical, and other medical research. Visit the NIH for more information about its programs and services. www.nih.gov.

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