Researchers estimate that around 34% of adults in the United States have systemic inflammation, which is associated with cardiovascular disease and related mortality.
Experts do not fully understand how inflammation can lead to changes in the structure and function of the heart.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology analyzed data from almost half a million people, measuring chronic inflammation using a marker called glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) to determine its potential relationship with heart health.
The researchers also examined how environmental factors such as smoking could affect inflammation, as well as the role genetics might play in the susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
The researchers analyzed GlycA measurements in 488,079 UK Biobank participants. They found that people with higher GlycA levels were more likely to have a smaller volume in the heart’s left ventricle.
Higher GlycA was also associated with increased wall thickness and reduced diastolic function.
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The findings also suggest that GlycA levels are associated with a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), such as:
Cheng-Han Chen, MD, board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA spoke with Medical News Today about the study’s findings.
“In this study, people with the highest GlycA levels had a 43% higher risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event compared with those who had the lowest levels. That is a meaningful difference and adds to the evidence that GlycA may provide useful information about cardiovascular risk,” said Chen, who was not involved in the study.
However, Chen added, “these findings do not establish that elevated GlycA directly causes cardiovascular events, so further research is needed to determine its role as a prognostic biomarker.”
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished, who was also not involved in the study, also shared some thoughts with MNT.
“In clinical practice, I would view GlycA as one piece of the puzzle, alongside ApoB or LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, visceral adiposity, smoking status, and overall cardiovascular history. It is a risk marker, not a diagnosis or treatment target on its own,” she explained.
According to the study findings, factors that were more likely to result in higher GlycA levels include:
Depression, visceral fat, and android fat distribution (fat stored in the abdomen, chest, and upper body) were also more likely to lead to higher levels of inflammation.
Routhenstein explained that “[t]hese findings matter because they show how closely inflammation is tied to everyday factors that affect heart health. Extra fat surrounding the midsection is metabolically active and linked with inflammation and poorer blood sugar control.”
She said, “Smoking increases inflammation and damages blood vessels, adding to cardiovascular risk. Ongoing stress can affect sleep, physical activity, food choices, and smoking habits, so it is important to look at the whole person.”
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Chen added, “This is consistent with our broader understanding that persistent inflammation can contribute to processes involved in cardiovascular disease.”
Higher levels of physical activity and consuming a healthier diet were associated with lower GlycA levels, the study authors found.
They also determined that higher socioeconomic status was associated with lower GlycA levels.
“Regular physical activity and a heart-healthy diet have been associated with lower levels of chronic inflammation and better cardiovascular health. Therefore, it is reasonable that this study found these healthy lifestyle factors were associated with lower GlycA levels,” explained Chen.
“While this does not prove that lowering GlycA itself will prevent cardiovascular events, it reinforces the importance of established lifestyle measures for reducing overall cardiovascular risk,” he added.
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Routhenstein said that these findings are “not surprising because we know that regular physical activity and a nutrient-dense, minimally processed diet can support blood sugar control, reduce harmful abdominal fat, and help lower inflammation.”
She added that “[t]he encouraging takeaway is that heart-healthy habits can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving metabolic health, inflammation, and heart-related risk factors.”
The study researchers also examined whether genetics could affect the relationship between inflammation and environmental exposures.
They found that genetic susceptibility “significantly modifies” this relationship.
“A person’s inflammatory profile may reflect both inherited characteristics and factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking, body composition, stress, and other environmental exposures,” said Chen.
“Understanding how these factors interact may help us better identify and manage cardiovascular risk in the future,” he added.
Routhenstein also spoke with MNTabout this finding.
“I think this is an important and empowering reminder that cardiovascular risk is not simply genetics versus lifestyle. Our genes may influence how strongly our bodies respond to factors such as abdominal fat, smoking, diet, stress, or physical inactivity, but they do not determine our future on their own,” she explained.
“The important message is that the factors we can change through science-based nutrition, including diet quality, physical activity, smoking cessation, sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol management, remain worthwhile for everyone, regardless of genetic background.”
