Heart Risk Inflammation Marker Women – Better Prediction
C-Reactive Protein as a Cardiovascular Risk Indicator in Women Without Customary Risk Factors
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published: August 29, 2024, 11:54:04 AM EDT
A new study published in teh European Heart Journal in 2025 suggests that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) can help identify cardiovascular risk in women who lack standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs).
The Challenge of “SMuRF-Less” Cardiovascular Risk
Cardiologists recognise that a significant proportion – up to 50% – of heart attacks and strokes occur in individuals without traditional risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. These are frequently enough referred to as “SMuRFs” (Standard Modifiable Risk factors) by medical professionals.Identifying risk in this “SMuRF-Less” population, notably women, has been a longstanding challenge in preventive cardiology, as women are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated for cardiovascular disease.
New Research from Mass General Brigham
Researchers from Mass General Brigham utilized data from the Women’s Health Study to investigate the role of hsCRP, a marker of inflammation, in predicting cardiovascular risk among women without SMuRFs.The study, published in the European Heart Journal in 2025, found that hsCRP levels can help identify women at increased risk.
What is hsCRP and Why Does it Matter?
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. While inflammation is a natural part of the body’s immune response, chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease. Measuring hsCRP levels can provide insights into the level of inflammation present in the body, potentially revealing risk even in the absence of traditional risk factors.
Key Findings and Implications
The study highlights the importance of considering inflammation as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in women who appear healthy based on standard metrics. This suggests that a more thorough approach to risk assessment, including inflammatory markers like hsCRP, may be necessary to improve prevention and treatment strategies.