Chronic inflammation linked to increased heart disease risk

A large-scale study published in the ‘European Journal of Preventive Cardiology’ has linked chronic inflammation to significant structural changes in the heart and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and Imperial College London analyzed data from nearly 488,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Using the blood marker GlycA to measure systemic inflammation, the study found that individuals in the highest 20% for inflammation levels faced a 43% higher risk of major cardiovascular episodes, including heart attack and stroke, compared to those in the lowest 20%.

Physical changes observed in high-inflammation groups included thickened heart walls, smaller ventricular volumes, and reduced diastolic function. The study suggests that chronic inflammation is driven not only by lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity but also by psychological distress and socioeconomic disadvantages. Professor Declan O’Regan noted that millions may be living with ‘hidden inflammation’ that gradually reshapes the heart without obvious symptoms.