New Study Highlights Three Key Blood Markers for Predicting Long-term Cardiovascular Risk

Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals that measuring three blood markers can predict cardiovascular risks over 30 years in women. The study emphasizes the importance of screening for inflammation, cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a), advocating for personalized preventive care tailored to individual biological needs.

Research conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, has found that measuring three distinct biological markers in blood samples can more accurately predict long-term cardiovascular risk than just one marker. The study, which included 27,939 healthy American women, was presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in London and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers discovered that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and lipoprotein(a) significantly forecast cardiovascular events over a 30-year period.

Lead author Dr. Paul Ridker, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women's Hospital, emphasized the necessity of measuring these markers for optimal patient care. "To provide the best care for our patients, we need universal screening for inflammation, cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a), and we need it now. By so doing, we can target our treatments to the specific biological needs of individual patients, providing truly personalized preventive care," said Ridker.

The Women's Health Study (WHS), funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, tracked female health professionals aged 45 and older since 1993. The study found that women with the highest levels of hsCRP, LDL-C, and Lp(a) had significantly higher risks of major cardiovascular events like heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes over the next three decades. The findings highlight the urgent need for earlier and more aggressive preventive measures, particularly among women, who are often undiagnosed and undertreated for cardiovascular diseases.

(With inputs from agencies.)