A significant new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting in London has called for a major shift in how heart disease risks in women are evaluated and managed. Researchers now recommend that women begin taking preventive medications for cardiovascular disease in their 30s, rather than waiting until well after menopause, as is the current practice.
The study, led by Dr. Paul Ridker of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, is the first to show that simple blood tests can reliably estimate a woman’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease over the next three decades. These findings suggest that women could benefit from earlier intervention, potentially preventing heart disease before it becomes a critical issue.
“This is good for patients first and foremost, but it is also important information for manufacturers of cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and lipoprotein(a)-lowering drugs,” said Dr. Ridker. “The implications for therapy are broad, and our guidelines need to change to reflect these new insights. We must move beyond discussions of five- or ten-year risk and consider long-term preventive strategies.”
The study involved 27,939 participants from the long-term Women’s Health Initiative study. Between 1992 and 1995, these women underwent blood tests for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, commonly known as “bad cholesterol”), which is a standard part of routine care. In addition, they were tested for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a marker of blood vessel inflammation, and lipoprotein(a), a genetically determined type of fat. These tests provided a comprehensive picture of each participant’s cardiovascular risk.
Current guidelines generally suggest that physicians do not need to consider women for preventive therapies until they reach their 60s or 70s. However, the new data from this study clearly demonstrate that these guidelines are outdated. By identifying risks earlier, in their 30s, women could start taking preventive medications sooner, reducing the likelihood of developing serious cardiovascular conditions later in life.
The study’s implications are far-reaching, not just for patients, but also for the pharmaceutical industry. As Dr. Ridker noted, manufacturers of cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and lipoprotein(a)-lowering drugs could play a significant role in this new approach to heart disease prevention.
This research highlights the importance of reevaluating current medical practices and underscores the potential benefits of early intervention in preventing cardiovascular disease in women. The study’s findings could lead to changes in global health guidelines, ensuring that women receive the care and preventive measures they need much earlier in life.
