Interaction between inflammation and blood viscosity predicts cardiovascular mortality

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular epidemiology
• Hematology
• Biomarkers of cardiovascular risk

Background:

• Inflammation and blood viscosity are linked to cardiovascular mortality.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) indicates inflammation and affects blood viscosity.
• Hematocrit significantly impacts blood viscosity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine ESR and hematocrit as predictors of cardiovascular mortality.
• To investigate the interaction between ESR and hematocrit in predicting cardiovascular mortality.
• To assess long-term cardiovascular mortality risk in healthy middle-aged men.

Main Methods:

• A 26-year follow-up study of 488 healthy men aged 40-59.
• Risk estimation using Cox proportional hazards models.
• Adjustments for age, smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, and fitness.

Main Results:

• The highest hematocrit quartile showed a 2.44-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.
• In men with ESR <6 mm/h, the highest hematocrit quartile had a 3.05-fold higher risk.
• This association was not significant in men with ESR <6 mm/h.

Conclusions:

• Elevated hematocrit independently predicts long-term cardiovascular mortality in men with high ESR.
• The combination of inflammation (ESR) and blood viscosity (hematocrit) may enhance cardiovascular risk prediction.
• These findings highlight the interplay between inflammation and hemorheology in cardiovascular health.