Impact of C-Reactive Protein, LDL Cholesterol, and Lipoprotein(a) on Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk in Women

During 30 years of follow-up, all three biomarkers significantly and independently predicted incidence of a major adverse cardiovascular event in women.

Many domains of risk contribute to cardiovascular disease; important among these are inflammatory and lipid-related risks. To understand the usefulness of biomarkers of inflammatory risk — high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) — and lipid-related risk — low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] — for predicting long-term cardiovascular outcomes in women, researchers measured baseline levels of these biomarkers among nearly 28,000 initially healthy U.S. women health professionals (mean age, 55 years; 94% White) and followed them for 30 years. The primary end point was a first major adverse cardiovascular event, a composite of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, stroke, or cardiovascular death.

Dur…

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)