Silent Risk: Inflammation Linked to Heart Disease in ‘Healthy’ Women
- Gyeonghyun Cho
- Aug 31
- 1 min read
Aug 31, 2025
Gyeonghyun Cho
According to a new study by Mass General Brigham presented at the European Heart Association conference and published in the European Heart Journal, inflammation may be a hidden risk factor for heart disease and stroke for women (SMuRFs) who lack traditional risk indicators such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Using data from more than 12,500 healthy women over 30 years, the researchers found that those with high levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an indicator of inflammation, had a 77 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease, a 39 percent higher risk of stroke, and a 52 percent higher risk of major cardiovascular events.
Lead author Dr. Paul Riedker emphasized that these "SMuRF-free but inflamed" women are not identified by the current risk equations used in clinical practice, meaning that many do not receive treatment until cardiovascular disease has already progressed. He emphasized the importance of early identification, especially for women in their 40s, so that preventive treatment can be initiated before it is too late to make a difference.
The study also found that statin therapy, which is commonly used to lower cholesterol, could reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by 38% in these women. This suggests that in addition to lifestyle changes, statins may play an important role in protecting individuals who are inflamed but do not have standard risk factors. This study highlights the need to update cardiovascular screening guidelines to include inflammatory markers, such as hsCRP, especially for women undergoing treatment.
