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Population correlates of plasma fibrinogen and factor VII, putative cardiovascular risk factors
A R Folsom1, K K Wu, C E Davis
1Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454.
Insights
Higher plasma fibrinogen and factor VII coagulant activity increase cardiovascular disease risk. Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise may help modify these risk factors, improving heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated plasma fibrinogen and factor VII coagulant activity are linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Understanding factors influencing these hemostatic markers is crucial for CVD prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics associated with plasma fibrinogen and factor VII coagulant activity.
- To explore potential modifiable factors influencing these CVD risk markers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from over 12,000 participants (aged 45-64) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (1986-1989).
- Assessment of associations between various factors (e.g., race, sex, age, smoking, body size, diabetes, lipid profiles, alcohol intake, physical activity) and plasma fibrinogen and factor VII levels.
Main Results:
- Fibrinogen levels were higher in Black individuals than White, and in women compared to men. Fibrinogen increased with age, smoking, body size, diabetes, insulin, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and leukocyte count, while decreasing with ethanol intake, physical activity, HDL cholesterol, and hormone use.
- Factor VII activity was higher in women than men and increased with age in women. In both sexes, it increased with body size, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, and decreased with ethanol intake.
Conclusions:
- Plasma fibrinogen and factor VII coagulant activity are influenced by a range of demographic and lifestyle factors.
- These findings suggest that lifestyle modifications targeting factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption may help reduce elevated fibrinogen and factor VII levels, thereby mitigating cardiovascular disease risk.
Abstract:
Recent prospective investigations have reported that higher plasma fibrinogen concentrations and higher factor VII coagulant activity are associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease. To discover what characteristics may influence fibrinogen and factor VII, we analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study obtained from over 12,000 men and women, aged 45-64 years, from four communities in December 1986 to June 1989. Fibrinogen was higher in blacks than whites and in women than men; in general, it increased with age, smoking, body size, diabetes, fasting serum insulin, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), leukocyte count, and menopause, and it decreased with ethanol intake, physical activity, HDL cholesterol, and female hormone use. Factor VII was higher in women than men and, in women, increased with age; in both sexes, it increased with body size, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, and it decreased with ethanol intake. These findings indicate that elevations in fibrinogen and factor VII may be modifiable through appropriate lifestyle changes.