Heart attacks in low-risk Men linked to Protein

Certain molecules called inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins (ISPs) appear to be linked to heart attacks in men who do not have established risk factors for heart disease, new research suggests.

Certain molecules called inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins (ISPs) appear to be linked to heart attacks in men who do not have established risk factors for heart disease, new research suggests. As lead author Dr. Gunnar Engstrom told Reuters Health, “low-grade inflammation seems to be an important explanation of why some men suffer a (heart attack) even though they have low levels of all traditional risk factors.” Engstrom and colleagues, from Malmo University Hospital in Sweden, came to these conclusions following a study involving more than 6000 men in whom blood levels of various ISPs were measured. Of the group, 1108 had no heart disease risk factors and were deemed low risk, while 1011 had at least two major risk factors and were classified as high risk. The new findings are reported in the medical journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Over 18 years of follow-up, 227 heart attacks were recorded. In both risk groups, the chances of heart attack rose as the number of ISPs at high levels increased. However, these increased risks were only apparent after at least 10 years of follow-up. The reasons for the link between ISPs and heart attack risk are uncertain. However, Engstrom pointed out that “because low-grade inflammation can be observed many years before (a heart attack), it should be possible to identify those with an increased risk and prevent [its] development.” (Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Reuter’s Health, MEDLINE Plus, Dec, 2003)