Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimation Using Blood Biomarkers and the QRISK3 Stratification Tool: A Cross-Sectional
Ahmed Salem1, Fanar Alsmarat1, Tasneem Al-Awaideh2
1Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine The Hashemite University Zarqa Jordan.
Insights
A significant portion of Jordanians face elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, with smoking increasing this likelihood. Early screening and intervention are crucial for managing CVD risk in the population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the primary cause of mortality in Jordan.
- Assessing 10-year CVD risk and associated biomarkers is vital for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of 10-year CVD risk using the QRISK3 tool in a Jordanian sample.
- To evaluate fibrinogen levels and lipid profiles as supplementary CVD risk indicators.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in Amman, Jordan, involving 251 participants aged 25-64.
- Data collection included questionnaires and blood sample analysis for fibrinogen and lipid profiles.
- The study adhered to STROBE guidelines for observational research.
Main Results:
- 31.1% of participants had a QRISK3 score ≥10%, and 14.3% had a score >20%.
- Active smokers exhibited higher CVD risk scores and prevalence of atrial fibrillation.
- 77.7% had non-optimal lipid profiles, with longer-term smokers showing lower HDL levels.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of the study sample faces elevated CVD risk, particularly smokers.
- Findings highlight the need for routine CVD risk screening in primary care for early intervention.
- Limitations include convenience sampling and small sample size, restricting generalizability to the entire Jordanian population.
Background And Aims:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in Jordan. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of 10-year CVD risk as predicted by the QRISK3 tool and assess fibrinogen levels and lipid profile parameters as additional indicators of CVD risk in a Jordanian sample.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in Amman, Jordan. Eligible participants aged 25-64 years provided informed consent and completed a baseline questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for fibrinogen and lipid profile analyses. This study followed the STROBE guidelines for reporting observational studies.
Results:
A total of 251 participants were recruited for this study. Among them, 78 (31.1%) had ≥ 10% QRISK3 score, and 36 (14.3%) had > 20% QRISK3 score. Active smokers had a higher prevalence of both ≥ 10% and > 20% QRISK3 scores compared to secondhand and never-smokers (p < 0.001 and p = 0.038, respectively). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was higher in active smokers (20%) and secondhand smokers (25.4%) compared to never-smokers (6.3%) (p = 0.014). A total of 195 participants (77.7%) exhibited at least one non-optimal lipid profile level. Smokers of more than 10 years showed a significantly higher prevalence of low HDL levels compared to those who had smoked for fewer years (p = 0.034). Median fibrinogen levels were similar across smoking statuses (active smokers: 268 mg/dL, never-smokers: 275 mg/dL, and secondhand smokers: 258 mg/dL, p = 0.456).
Conclusion:
While the findings of this study cannot be generalized to the entire Jordanian population due to convenience sampling and the limited sample size, they highlight that a substantial proportion of participants are at elevated CVD risk. This underscores the importance of incorporating routine CVD risk screening into primary healthcare to identify high-risk individuals and enable early preventive interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:12Relative Risk
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)