This blood test can determine the cardiovascular risk

Blood test helps to assess cardiovascular health

Some people are more likely to suffer cardiovascular disease after a heart attack. Researchers now found that a newly developed blood test could help identify patients with an increased risk for these diseases quickly and easily.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield found in their study that a simple blood test can provide clues as to whether patients who have a heart attack have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "European Heart Journal".

A simple blood test is able to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease after a heart attack. (Image: StudioLaMagica / fotolia.com)

Protecting people better from cardiovascular diseases in the future

The current research could help researchers identify new goals and opportunities that reduce the risk to people who have a heart attack for cardiovascular disease, the researchers explain. Finally, more effective treatments could be developed, the researchers hope.

More than 4,300 subjects were studied for the study

In his research, the research team led by Professor Rob Storey of the Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Sheffield analyzed blood plasma samples from more than 4,300 patients with acute coronary syndrome. The physicians measured the maximum density of a blood clot and the time it takes for such a clot to finally disintegrate again.

Certain participants had a 40 percent increased risk

After adjusting for known clinical features and risk factors, the study found that patients with the longest time to disintegrate the blood clot had an approximately 40 percent increased risk of recurrent myocardial infarction or death due to cardiovascular disease.

Results explain the causes of increased risk

In the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in improving the prognosis following a heart attack. However, there is still room for further improvement, says Professor Storey. The findings provide exciting clues as to why some patients have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease after a heart attack and how they can be treated with new methods in the future, the expert adds.

What is an acute coronary syndrome??

The study also makes clear that novel therapies can improve the prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome. A so-called acute coronary syndrome actually summarizes a range of different cardiovascular diseases, which can not be differentiated exactly. These diseases include: Unstable angina pectoris, NSTEMI, STEMI and the so-called sudden cardiac death.

Further research is needed

Physicians should now look for more ways to tailor future treatment to the individual's risk for subsequent cardiovascular disease after a heart attack, say the scientists. It also needs to be tested to see if certain medications can reduce this risk. (As)