This Simple Test Could Predict Your Risk Of Heart Disease For The Next 30 Years
We’re talking very simple.
by The Candidly Team
We’re not gonna beat around the bush. Heart disease is the number one killer of women. About 44% of American women have it. And signs of it can be subtler in women than in men.
However…
It’s estimated that 80% of heart disease is preventable.
Meaning that prevention is wildly critical. And perhaps it’s even more possible because a recent study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) showed that a single blood test can help predict cardiovascular disease risks for women for up to the next 30 years.
The test measures two types of fat in the bloodstream along with a key marker of inflammation, but all it is a blood test. Easy, right?
But here’s what you need to know:
First, a bit about the study. Researchers gathered data from nearly 28,000 U.S. health care providers, which they tracked for 30 years. They were looking at how these three things might help predict cardiovascular episodes, including heart attack and stroke:
LDL Cholesterol - the one we commonly know as “bad” cholesterol.
Lp(A) - a lipoprotein or particle made up of protein and fats (lipids).
CRP - a protein that indicates the presence of inflammation.
According to the study, when all three measures “were assessed together, participants with the highest levels had more than a 1.5-times increased associated risk for stroke and more than a three-times increased associated risk for coronary heart disease compared to women with the lowest levels.”
Researchers believe that getting a sense of a woman’s inflammation and lipids levels in midlife will help with early detection and treatment. However, they noted that while LDL cholesterol is routinely measured by doctors, Lp(a) and CRP screening recommendations can vary.
What testing should you ask your doctor about?
Let’s start with CRP screening, which measures inflammation in the body.
It’s been estimated that only about 50% of people who have heart attacks have high LDL cholesterol. As one article in Harvard Health put it back in 2017 “there's a need for a different test that will ‘capture’ those who slip through the fingers of cholesterol … Because cholesterol screening does miss so many incipient heart attacks, it suggests that cholesterol doesn't adequately explain heart disease. Inflammation seems to be that explanation, and C-reactive protein (CRP), a by-product of inflammation, may provide the test.”
And remember this was back in 2017 before this new study came along and showed that CRP screening can indeed help predict heart disease risk. In fact, participants with the highest levels of CRP had a 70% increased associated risk for heart disease compared to those with the lowest levels.
The bottom line is, you can ask your doctor about CRP screening and ways to potentially lower your own levels of inflammation. Again, it’s just a blood test and very much worth a conversation.
Okay, now for Lp(A), a test that measures the level of lipoprotein in your blood. If your levels are high, it could may mean you have a high risk for heart disease and stroke.
It’s estimated that about “20% of the population has elevated circulating levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), one of the most robust predictors of cardiovascular disease risk. This is particularly true for women,” according to one study.
Point is, this could be yet another way to identify risk that is not being measured in a routine check up. So once again, it’s worth a chat with your doctor.
So what does prevention entail?
When it comes to keeping our hearts healthy through prevention, the usual suspects come into play:
Be active: At least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. At least. “For a bigger health boost, aim for about 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day, five days a week,” advises the Mayo Clinic. “Also do strength training exercises two or more days a week.”
Eat healthy: Less sodium and saturated fats. More fiber.
Manage stress.
Avoid smoking.
Limit or avoid alcohol intake.
And according to NHLBI researchers, “other measures for people with increased risks may include using medication to lower cholesterol and/or reduce inflammation.” They’re quick to point out that “steps people take earlier in life to support their heart and vascular health can add up over time and correlate with better health outcomes years and even decades later.”
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind. Read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
