Cardiologist Simpler blood test to predict heart attack

Cheap and easy method could prevent many heart attacks worldwide
Researchers have now found that people with a higher level of antibodies in the blood have a lower risk of having a heart attack. For this reason, a simple blood test may be sufficient in the future to detect the risk of heart attack over the next five years.

Researchers at Imperial College London and University College London said in an investigation that we could use a simple blood test to find out what our risk of a heart attack is over the next five years. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "EbioMedicine".

Heart attacks endanger the lives of many people worldwide. A simple blood test could help determine the risk of heart attacks over the years. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

Antibodies in the blood affect the heart attack risk
In the future, physicians could expect a blood test and information on factors such as age, gender, blood pressure, cholesterol and medical history to predict how high the risk of heart disease will be over the next few years, say the authors. A higher level of antibodies in our blood indicates a lower risk. This finding may mean that people who are currently taking statins or beta-blockers and have a strong immune system can refrain from using these medicines in the future. By the concentrations of antibodies in the blood can be measured, how high the risk of heart attack is actually a person, explain the scientists.

People with the lowest antibody levels had the highest risk of heart attack
The new study showed a correlation between the amount of so-called IgG antibodies in blood and the likelihood of adverse cardiac events. IgG is the most common form of antibody and is responsible for protecting the body against bacterial and viral infections, the experts explain. IgG measurement is easy and cheap. The new findings could make it easier for physicians in the future to make more accurate risk predictions. The scientists examined more than 1,700 people at risk for heart disease in their five-year study. They found that people with the lowest antibody levels had the highest risk of heart attack.

Many antibodies lead to up to 58 percent lower risk
Those with the highest levels of antibody levels had a 58 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease or heart attack, the researchers say. In addition, these individuals also had a 38 percent lower risk of stroke or other adverse heart events. The fact that a stronger, more robust immune system affects protection against heart attacks is a truly exciting insight, explains lead author Dr. Ramzi Khamis.

Further research is trying to find ways to improve the immune system
This new insight must be used to examine the factors that cause some people to have an immune system that can protect against heart attacks. We also hope to find ways to strengthen our immune system and prevent it from happening. Khamis added. (As)