Researchers have developed a new way to predict an impending heart attack using standard blood tests and an online tool. The study, led by Professor Johan Sandström, analyzed blood samples from more than 169,000 people and discovered 90 molecules associated with heart attack risk. This advancement provides a unique opportunity for individuals to assess their risk of heart attack and could greatly enhance preventive health care efforts.

By analyzing the results of your regular blood tests using an online tool, you can determine your increased risk of having a heart attack within the next six months. This tool was created by researchers at Uppsala University with the aim of increasing individuals’ motivation to adopt healthier lifestyle habits.

Heart attacks are the most common cause of death in the world and are increasing worldwide. Many high-risk people are not identified or receive preventive treatment. Now, researchers led by Professor Johan Sandström at Uppsala University have discovered that a standard blood test can predict heart attacks. The problem, researchers say, is that risk factors have previously been tested in studies with five to 10 years of follow-up, and only those that are stable over time can be identified.

Dynamic period before a heart attack

“But we know that the period just before a heart attack is very dynamic. For example, the risk of a heart attack doubles in the month after a divorce, and the risk of a heart attack doubles in the week after being diagnosed with cancer, and it increases in the week after a cancer diagnosis.” The risk of cardiac events is five times greater,” says Sandstrom, a cardiologist and professor of epidemiology. At Uppsala University.

Johan Sandström, cardiologist and professor of epidemiology at Uppsala University.Credit: Michael Wallerstedt

Along with other European researchers, his work is based on the hypothesis that several important biological processes are active in the months before a heart attack occurs, and that these can be detected with a simple blood test. We proceeded.

“We wanted to develop a way for health services to identify people who are about to have their first heart attack,” Sandström says.

The research group had access to blood samples from 169,053 people without prior permission. cardiovascular disease in six European cohorts. Within six months, 420 of these people had their first heart attack. Their blood was then compared to the blood of 1,598 healthy members of the cohort.

“We have identified around 90 molecules that are associated with the risk of a first heart attack. However, currently the samples already taken in medical settings are sufficient to predict risk. , we hope that it will increase people’s motivation to take preventive medications or quit smoking, for example,” Sandström says.

A simple online tool for risk assessment

Researchers have also developed a simple online tool that anyone can use to find out their risk of having a heart attack within six months.

“That was one of the aims of the whole study, because we know that people feel relatively less motivated to receive preventive treatment. , perhaps increasing motivation to prevent heart attacks,” says Sandstrom.

Researchers will now study some 90 new molecules to better understand them and see if they have therapeutic potential.

“We hope to conduct new research here in Uppsala to see whether online tools provide the incentives we intend,” Sandström concludes.

Reference: “Markers of impending myocardial infarction” Stefan Gustafsson, Erik Lampa, Karin Jensevik Eriksson, Adam S. Butterworth, Sölve Elmståhl, Gunnar Engström, Kristian Hveem, Mattias Johansson, Arnulf Langhammer, Lars Lind, Kristi Läll, Giovanna Maela, By Andres Metspal, Konchi Moreno-Yribas, Peter M. Nilsson, Markus Perola, Birgit Schimmel, Henmo Shipsma, Bjorn Olaf Asvold, Erik Ingelsson, Ulf Hammar, Andrea Ganna, Bodir Sven Brad, Tove Fall, Johan Sandström, February 12, 2024, Nature cardiovascular research.
DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00422-2

This study was funded by the Heart and Lung Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, AFA Vorsekling, and Anders Vikulov.

One of the six cohorts is from the Uppsala-based population study EpiHealth.