Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independent predictors of cardiovascular events
Authors' conclusion
Hyperlipidaemia and inflammation independently and synergistically contribute to an increased risk for incident cardiovascular events. The magnitude of risk is more closely related to serum biomarker concentrations than to the use or not of cholesterol-lowering medications.
Study context
- Population
- UK Biobank participants aged 38 to 73 years, with and without cholesterol-lowering medication55.9% women
- Participants
- 322,922 participants
- Exposure
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Lp(a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), individually and combined, and risk of incident MACE
- Outcome
- Incident MACE
- Follow-up
- Median 13.7 years
Methodological detailsUK Biobank, stratified by cholesterol-lowering medication use
- UK Biobank
- Stratified by cholesterol-lowering medication use
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident MACE per 1-SD higher biomarker
| Group | Value | LDL-C, per 1 SD | Lp(a), per 1 SD | Hs-CRP, per 1 SD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-users | 8.32% | 13% greater risk | 8% greater risk | 6% greater risk |
| Users | 18.6% | 11% greater risk | 7% greater risk | 6% greater risk |
Value
Non-users8.32%
Users18.6%
LDL-C, per 1 SD
Non-users13% greater risk
Users11% greater risk
Lp(a), per 1 SD
Non-users8% greater risk
Users7% greater risk
Hs-CRP, per 1 SD
Non-users6% greater risk
Users6% greater risk
- Overall incident MACE
- 31,295 (9.69%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Non-users | Users |
|---|---|---|
| Incident MACE, all three biomarkers >75th percentile vs all ≤75th percentile | ||
| All three >75th percentile | 77% higher risk | 58% higher risk |
Incident MACE, all three biomarkers >75th percentile vs all ≤75th percentile
- LDL-C, Lp(a) and Hs-CRP combined showed a synergistic effect
Original publication
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are independent predictors of cardiovascular events. Eur Heart J. Published 5 May 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it