A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine states that simple blood tests measuring one's cholesterol levels and inflammation markers can predict a woman's risk of developing heart disease over the next 30 years.

The research, conducted with nearly 28,000 women in the U.S., focused on measuring two specific fats—low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and lipoprotein(a)—alongside high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), an inflammation marker. The findings of the report point out that women with higher levels of these markers carry a higher risk for major cardiovascular events.

It found that women with the highest levels of these markers were 2.6 times more likely to experience heart attacks and 3.7 times more likely to suffer strokes. Those with the elevated levels of the specific fats had a 33-36% increased risk of heart disease. Women with the highest levels of the inflammation were 70% more susceptible to heart disease.

This study has significant implications for India as well. A study from India, which analyzed data from three reports (2017 Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Study, Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration and the National Family Health Surveys), concludes that "IHD (ischemic heart disease) is increasing more rapidly among women than men in India and there is sex-associated convergence. This is associated with greater increase in overweight, diabetes, tobacco use and periodontal infections in women."

The NEJM study emphasizes the importance of evaluating these three markers collectively, as they provide a more comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk than any single measure alone. Researchers advocate for earlier screening and intervention, suggesting that women should begin monitoring their heart health in their 30s rather than waiting until menopause. This proactive approach, combined with lifestyle modifications and potential pharmacological treatments, could substantially improve long-term heart health outcomes for women, who often remain underdiagnosed and undertreated for cardiovascular conditions.

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