Promising Research Related to Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Heart disease research scientists continue to study the cause of
heart disease (see Causes of Coronary Heart Disease). They are also investigating risk factors for
heart disease. Some recent studies show that having high levels of a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and having a
heart attack. CRP levels in the blood rise when there is inflammation, a process in the body that occurs in response to injury. Inflammation can also occur as a result of an infection. The inflammatory process appears to contribute to the growth of
plaque in the artery.
Research is under way to find out if reducing inflammation and lowering CRP levels can also reduce the risk for coronary heart disease and heart attack.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease: A Summary
If a person has risk factors for heart disease, it does not necessarily mean that he or she will get coronary heart disease. Many people with risk factors for heart disease never develop it, while people with no coronary heart disease risk factors can develop the condition.
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