Fat particles in blood can predict risk of hidden heart disease in male athletes
A fat particle found in the blood appears to be a powerful predictor of hidden heart disease risks in older male athletes, according to a Flemish research consortium.
Their research shows that elevated levels of lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), are strongly associated with increased atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, even in fit, apparently healthy men.
The study involved 558 men between the ages of 45 and 70, all without known classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They were divided into three groups: lifelong endurance athletes, athletes who only started after the age of 30, and healthy non-athletes.
"Regular exercise remains one of the most powerful ways to prevent cardiovascular disease"
All participants underwent a heart scan to check for calcification in the coronary arteries, one of the signs of early heart disease. Lp(a) levels were also measured in the blood.
Lp(a) is largely genetically determined and can indicate an increased risk of heart problems. The researchers also investigated whether a higher Lp(a) value is associated with more arteriosclerosis, even in people who are otherwise healthy.
They compared participants with low and high Lp(a) values and looked at what happens with each increase of 10 units, while taking into account factors such as age, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Identifying patients
“Regular exercise remains one of the most powerful ways to prevent cardiovascular disease,” said Prof Guido Claessen of the Hasselt Heart Centre, affiliated with the Jessa hospital, Hasselt University and KU Leuven.
“That does not mean that exercise is unhealthy; on the contrary, the benefits of exercise remain significant. Nevertheless, the findings show that middle-aged intensive endurance athletes sometimes show more calcification of the coronary arteries than expected.”
Identifying high-risk patients in this group is not easy. Traditional risk factors such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or diabetes are often absent. By mapping Lp(a) levels using a blood test, doctors can intervene in a timely manner in people with an apparently low risk.
The Master@Heart consortium is a collaboration between Hasselt University, the University of Antwerp and KU Leuven. The results of the study were published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
#FlandersNewsService | Illlustration © PHOTO IMAGEBROKER
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