(May 14, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Four measurements of biological functioning can help predict who is most at risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, even after taking into account established risk factors such as age, weight, and smoking status, according to research in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Here are some major risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can be modified with lifestyle changes and/or medication:

•    Tobacco smoke: smokers are two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease.

•    Physical inactivity: Regular, moderate-to-high intensity physical activity helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease.

•    Obesity and overweight: People who have excess body fat are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if they have no other risk factors.

Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden used data collected from a study that followed over 1,000 elderly men for ten years in order to determine whether four specific tests of biological functioning could help predict who would die of cardiovascular disease. These four tests reflect heart cell damage, the functioning of the left ventricle of the heart, the functioning the kidneys, and the presence of inflammation in the body.

Overall, 136 men died of cardiovascular disease during the study period. A statistical analysis revealed that established risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including age, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and the use of drugs to treat high cholesterol and blood pressure, helped predict who would die of this condition. Adding the four biological markers, however, made predictions significantly more accurate.

Today’s research demonstrates that four specific tests of biological functioning can make predictions more accurate, which can help direct the appropriate treatments to those who need them most.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.