Adults with elevated levels of three cardiovascular biomarkers had nearly triple the risk of heart attack compared to those with normal levels, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025.
The analysis, led by Richard Kazibwe, MD, of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Wake Forest University School of Medicine, evaluated lipoprotein(a), remnant cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in more than 306,000 adults from the UK Biobank. Participants were free of cardiovascular disease at enrollment and followed for a median of 15 years.
Researchers found a stepwise increase in heart attack risk based on the number of elevated biomarkers: one elevated marker was linked to a 45% higher risk, two to double the risk and all three to nearly triple the risk.
Researchers concluded that evaluating these markers — representing genetic risk, cholesterol metabolism and inflammation — together may help clinicians identify high-risk individuals earlier, even when traditional risk factors appear controlled.
The findings will be presented Nov. 7-10 in New Orleans and are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
