Blood test results showing high levels of two inflammatory proteins, Lp-PLA2 and CRP, may help identify individuals at risk of stroke, a recent study has revealed.
The identification of these proteins could guide preventive measures or even aid in the development of new stroke medications, according to researchers.
Dr. Christie M. Ballantyne from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, noted that forecasters often pay little attention to stroke and generally believe that predictors for coronary heart disease also apply to stroke. However, this is not always the case. For instance, cholesterol levels are associated with coronary heart disease risk but do not indicate stroke risk.
Ballantyne suggests that measuring levels of Lp-PLA2 and CRP will provide earlier and more effective stroke risk predictions compared to traditional risk factors like hypertension.
The findings are based on a study involving nearly 13,000 apparently healthy middle-aged individuals over about six years to assess stroke rates and other impacts. The research focused on 194 individuals who had experienced a stroke and 766 individuals who had not.
The researchers found that stroke patients had significantly higher levels of Lp-PLA2 and CRP compared to others. More detailed studies revealed that individuals with elevated Lp-PLA2 or CRP levels faced double the risk of stroke compared to their peers. This risk increased to eleven times for those with high levels of both Lp-PLA2 and CRP.
Ballantyne mentioned that his team is researching treatment therapies based on Lp-PLA2 and CRP levels that may help reduce stroke risk.
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