New Clinical Markers Predictive of Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Identification of persons at risk for developing cardiovascular disease has focused attention on blood pressure, smoking, and serum cholesterol levels. Modification of these factors has resulted in reduction of overall morbidity and mortality within the population. While significant, these risk factors do not predict all cardiovascular events, because the causes of cardiovascular disease are multifactorial and the risk associated with any given factor is compounded by the presence of other risk factors. Additional risk factors that may also identify risk for cardiovascular disease may include inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, cell adhesion molecules, and fibrinogen. Although additional studies are needed to establish the clinical utility of these markers, they may improve the identification and assessment of patients at risk for future cardiovascular events.