Inflammation Could Explain Heart Attack and Stroke Risks in Women Without Traditional Factors

Cardiologists have observed that nearly fifty percent of heart attacks and strokes occur in seemingly healthy individuals who do not exhibit the common risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, collectively known as the 'standard modifiable risk factors' or SMuRFs. Identifying risk in women who lack these conventional indicators has long been a challenge for preventive cardiology. A recent study conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham, utilizing data from the Women's Health Study, introduces a promising approach: measuring levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker of inflammation.

Presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress and published in The European Heart Journal, the findings highlight that women with elevated hsCRP levels—specifically above 3 mg/L—are at a significantly increased lifetime risk for cardiovascular events. Despite being considered low-risk according to traditional assessments, these women face a 77% higher chance of developing coronary heart disease, a 39% increased risk of stroke, and over half the risk of any major cardiovascular incident over their lifetime.

Lead author Dr. Paul Ridker emphasized that women who suffer heart attacks or strokes without apparent risk factors are not identified by current risk prediction models. 'Our data suggest that inflammation plays a crucial role in cardiovascular risk among women, and identifying inflammation early—ideally in their 40s—could enable preventive measures before extensive disease develops,' he explained.

The study tracked 12,530 initially healthy women over a 30-year period. Participants with no traditional risk factors but with high hsCRP levels demonstrated a marked increase in lifetime risk for heart disease and stroke. Additionally, the research presents new evidence that women who are both inflamed and considered SMuRF-less can lower their risk of heart attack and stroke by 38% through statin therapy.

While lifestyle modifications are essential for managing inflammation, Dr. Ridker notes that statin therapy may also be a valuable intervention for women identified as inflamed, even if they lack traditional risk factors. This approach could enable earlier and more targeted prevention, reducing impact in later years when treatment options are often less effective.

The findings underscore the importance of incorporating inflammatory markers like hsCRP into routine screening, especially for women who do not meet the usual risk criteria. Recognizing inflammation as a key factor could lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular disease prevention and outcomes among women.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-inflammation-women-standard-factors-heart.html