Lifetime Exposure to Lower LDL and Blood Pressure Makes a Difference in Lifetime Cardiovascular Risk

Even small changes over a lifetime can lead to large benefits.

Lower LDL levels and lower systolic blood pressure levels (SBP) are associated with lower cardiovascular risk. To examine how long-term exposure to lower LDL and lower SBP, both separately and combined, affect the lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), researchers performed a Mendelian randomization study using UK Biobank data. Included were 438,952 participants enrolled between 2006 and 2010, with follow-up through 2018 (mean age, 65; 54% women).

Weighted genetic scores were calculated for each participant; the LDL score was based on 100 genetic variants associated with lower LDL, and the SBP score was based on 61 genetic variants associated with lower SBP. The participants were separated into four groups according to genetic score…

Reviewing Author

Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, FACC

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBoehringer Ingelheim; Amgen; Novartis; Lilly; Amarin

Speaker’s BureauBoehringer Ingelheim

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsCirculation (Associate Editor)