What 30 Years of Data Tells Us About Women’s Heart Health—and What You Can Do About It

Based on: Ridker et al., NEJM, Aug 2024

A 30-year study published in the New England Journal of Medicine followed nearly 28,000 women and uncovered something powerful: our risk for major cardiovascular events is more predictable—and preventable—than we may think.

Three key biomarkers emerged as long-term predictors of heart health:

  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP): A marker of inflammation. Women with the highest levels had a 70% greater risk of heart events.

  • LDL Cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol): Elevated levels were linked to a 36% increase in cardiovascular risk.

  • Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]: A genetically driven lipid that raised cardiovascular risk by 33%.

Women with all three elevated markers were 2.6 times more likely to experience a major heart event and 3.7 times more likely to suffer a stroke over the 30-year span.

Why This Matters

Most of us are familiar with cholesterol testing, but hsCRP and Lp(a) aren’t routinely screened—and that’s a missed opportunity. These markers, especially when combined, paint a clearer picture of risk well before symptoms appear.

What You Can Do (Starting Now 💪🏾)

  1. Ask for Comprehensive Labs
     Don’t settle for “just cholesterol.” Talk to your healthcare provider about adding hsCRP and Lp(a) to your routine labs—especially if you have a personal or family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
  2. Focus on Inflammation
     Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a silent driver of many health issues, including heart disease. You can help lower it by:
  • Prioritizing whole foods and anti-inflammatory ingredients (think berries, leafy greens, salmon, olive oil)

  • Managing stress through breathwork, therapy, or gentle movement

  • Prioritizing sleep (7–9 hours of restful sleep really does matter)

  1. Move with Purpose
     You don’t have to become a marathon runner. Regular physical activity—even brisk walking for 30 minutes most days—can lower hsCRP and improve your cholesterol profile.
  2. Know Your Numbers—Then Make a Plan
     Knowledge is empowering. Once you have a full lab panel, you and your provider can explore next steps:
  • Lifestyle coaching

  • Nutritional guidance

  • Prescription therapies (like statins or GLP-1s, if appropriate)

  • Supplements that support inflammation and lipid balance

  1. Start Where You Are—Progress Is the Goal
     Every positive choice you make adds up. The best results come from sustainable, science-backed strategies—not perfection. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Small, consistent changes matter most.

The bottom line? Your heart health story isn’t written in stone. With the right information, early action, and compassionate support, you can reduce your long-term risk and live stronger, longer. ❤️

🔗 Read More

📖 View the Full Study in The New England Journal of Medicine (August 2024)

📚 CitationRidker PM, Moorthy MV, Cook NR, et al. How inflammation, cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) impact women's heart health over 30 years. New England Journal of Medicine. August 2024; 391:2087–2097.

 

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