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Relationship between hemoglobin and cardiovascular risk factors in young adults
1Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Insights
Higher hemoglobin levels are linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. This association may help explain why hemoglobin levels are connected to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Understanding the interplay between hemoglobin levels and CVD risk factors is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.
- Previous research suggests a potential link between hemoglobin and CVD, but the underlying mechanisms require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hemoglobin levels and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
- To explore potential mechanisms underlying the association between hemoglobin and CVD.
- To examine these relationships across different demographic groups (race and sex).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 5115 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.
- Statistical examination of correlations between hemoglobin levels and various CVD risk factors, including blood pressure, plasma total cholesterol, serum albumin, and white blood cell count.
- Adjustments were made for potential confounders such as age, body mass index, smoking status, and clinical center.
Main Results:
- Hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in men, white individuals, and smokers compared to their counterparts.
- Hemoglobin showed significant positive correlations with diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and plasma total cholesterol across most demographic groups.
- Serum albumin and white blood cell count also demonstrated significant correlations with hemoglobin levels in all examined groups.
Conclusions:
- The observed associations between hemoglobin and key CVD risk factors suggest a potential pathway explaining the link between hemoglobin levels and cardiovascular disease.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering hemoglobin as a factor in cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and explore therapeutic interventions targeting hemoglobin levels for CVD prevention.
Abstract:
To understand mechanisms of association between hemoglobin and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the relationships between hemoglobin and CVD risk factors were examined in 5115 black and white men and women who participated in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Hemoglobin was higher in men than women, whites than blacks, and smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, body mass index, current smoking status, and clinical center, hemoglobin correlated with diastolic blood pressure (0.11 < or = r < or = 0.22, p < 0.001) and plasma total cholesterol (0.08 < or = r < or = 0.11, p < 0.01) in all four race-sex groups and with systolic blood pressure in all but black women (0.07 < or = r < or = 0.13, p < 0.05). Among other factors possibly related to CVD risk, only serum albumin and white blood cell count showed significant correlations with hemoglobin in all groups (0.19 < or = r < or = 0.27, 0.07 < or = r < or = 0.18, respectively). These findings suggest that an association of hemoglobin with CVD risk factors may explain the association of hemoglobin with CVD.