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Lifestyle factors and coagulation activation markers: the Caerphilly Study

J W Yarnell1, P M Sweetnam, A Rumley

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK. h.porter@qub.ac.uk

Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis : an International Journal in Haemostasis and Thrombosis
|December 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Lifestyle factors like smoking and BMI influence blood coagulation markers linked to cardiovascular disease risk. Modifying habits, particularly quitting smoking, may favorably alter these markers.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Hemostasis and Thrombosis
  • Public Health and Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

  • Coagulation activation markers are increasingly recognized as potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Understanding the influence of lifestyle factors on these markers is crucial for CVD prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between various lifestyle factors and plasma levels of multiple coagulation activation markers in a large male population.
  • To determine if lifestyle modifications could favorably impact these CVD risk markers.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study involving 1947 men.
  • Assessment of lifestyle factors including smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, social class, and medication use.
  • Measurement of plasma levels for specific coagulation markers such as fibrin D-dimer, von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity, Factor VIIc, Factor VIIIc, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, prothrombin fragments 1+2 (F1+2), and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

Main Results:

  • Fibrin D-dimer levels increased with age, smoking, and prescribed medication use, and decreased with leisure activity.
  • vWF activity showed a U-shaped association with BMI and increased with age.
  • Factor VIIc, Factor VIIIc, and thrombin-antithrombin complexes were associated with BMI.
  • Factor VIIIc and F1+2 were associated with age.
  • aPTT and F1+2 were associated with smoking.
  • aPTT showed a negative association with alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

  • Lifestyle modifications present an opportunity to positively influence several coagulation activation markers associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Cigarette smoking appears to have a potentially reversible impact on coagulation activation, as indicated by changes in F1+2 and D-dimer levels.

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