Early blood test could predict heart disease risk in women, study finds

Research conducted by Harvard scientists suggests that a single blood test could help predict the risk of cardiovascular diseases in women up to 30 years in advance. The results, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 in London, were published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

The study, conducted by Harvard scientists and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aimed to identify blood biomarkers that can aid in the early detection and treatment of heart and blood vessel diseases. The scientists focused on two types of fats in the blood: C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.

Dr Paul Ridker, the study's lead author and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, emphasized that heart diseases are largely preventable if detected and treated early enough.

However, Ridker noted that current screening guidelines often identify women at high risk too late, when prevention should have been implemented long ago.

The study included over 27,000 women participating in the Women's Health Study, which began in the 1990s and lasted 30 years. During this period, 3,662 women experienced significant cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, surgeries to restore circulation, or deaths caused by heart diseases.

The analysis of three key markers—LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and CRP—revealed that women with the highest levels of these markers had significantly higher risks of developing heart disease. For example, women with the highest levels of LDL had a 36% higher risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to those with the lowest levels.

Interestingly, the study showed that women who had high levels of all three markers simultaneously had more than three times the risk of coronary disease compared to those with the lowest levels.

Though the study focused only on women, the scientists predict that similar results could be obtained in men.

Ridker highlights that awareness of these three biomarkers can significantly improve risk prediction, allowing for earlier and more precise medical interventions. However, it is crucial that patients themselves request such tests starting at the age of 40 rather than waiting until they are 70.

Dr Deepak Bhatt, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York, noted that intensive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, daily physical activity, and weight control, can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly with elevated levels of LDL, Lp(a), and CRP.

This study underscores the need for more comprehensive screening to detect and treat heart diseases in women earlier. As medical advancements allow for more precise approaches to prevention and treatment, it is essential that both patients and doctors are aware of the importance of early interventions that can prolong life and improve its quality.