“Here, we advocate for a more comprehensive biomarker-based approach to CV risk that incorporates two distinct dimensions”

A new editorial was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 19 on October 14, 2024, entitled “Integrating cardiovascular risk biomarkers in the context of inflammaging.”

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly one-third of all global mortalities. Risk assessment for CVD has traditionally focused on well-known factors linked to atherosclerosis, including demographics, lifestyle choices like smoking and physical activity, and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Biomarkers, such as non-HDL cholesterol, have also played a key role in identifying those at risk.

However, significant residual cardiovascular risk persists despite managing these established risk factors, suggesting additional, unaddressed contributors to cardiovascular health.

In their paper, researchers Jacopo Sabbatinelli, Matilde Sbriscia, Fabiola Olivieri, and Angelica Giuliani from Università Politecnica delle Marche and IRCCS INRCA in Ancona, Italy, explore how integrating specific cardiovascular biomarkers could help assess this residual inflammatory risk, particularly in the context of aging-related inflammation, or “inflammaging.” The biomarkers investigated—high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn), and natriuretic peptides—serve as valuable indicators of both inflammatory burden and early cardiovascular risk.

In conclusion, the authors demonstrate that combining markers of chronic inflammation with cardiac health indicators offers a more complete understanding of cardiovascular risk and reveals the impact of aging-related inflammation, or "inflammaging," on heart health. Researchers suggest that this approach opens new avenues for targeted interventions in aging populations.