- Higher glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) levels were linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, according to a recent study.
- Trunk fat, smoking, and psychological distress were associated with higher GlycA levels, while lower GlycA levels were more common with regular physical activity and a healthier diet.
- Experts explain that, while genetics can impact inflammation in the body, lifestyle changes such as diet quality and physical activity are important for everyone.
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.
Higher GlycA levels could indicate heart problems
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.
The findings also suggest that GlycA levels are associated with a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), such as:
- heart attack
- stroke
- heart failure
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.
Higher GlycA caused by trunk fat, smoking, psychological distress
According to the study findings, factors that were more likely to result in higher GlycA levels include:
- trunk fat
- currently smoking
- psychological distress
- low socioeconomic status
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 “
