Review Highlights Cardiovascular Risk Markers in High-Risk Obese Populations

Understanding Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the primary cause of death and disability globally. While CVD is often perceived as an adult condition, risk factors can emerge in childhood, with the disease typically surfacing later in life. The progression of CVD is influenced by various factors, among which childhood obesity significantly impacts future cardiovascular health. As the obesity epidemic expands worldwide, identifying preclinical CVD in obese youth becomes increasingly crucial.

The Role of Biomarkers

Biomarkers are quantifiable physiological indicators associated with disease status. In the context of cardiovascular health, these biomarkers serve as vital clinical tools for screening, diagnosing, and managing individuals at risk. A recent review article authored by Rajesh Parsanathan, PhD, and Sushil K. Jain, PhD, at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Centre investigates both traditional and novel cardiac biomarkers that can predict CVD in children grappling with obesity and other associated risk factors.

Emerging Cardiac Biomarkers

The review emphasizes several novel biomarkers specifically produced by heart tissue, including cardiac troponins, natriuretic peptides, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, and microRNAs. These markers present promising potential for clinical application in assessing cardiovascular risk.

Expert Insights

Published in the journal *Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders*, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Adrian Vella notes, “Childhood obesity is a growing problem which often enough translates into adult obesity. Both are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and markers that predict this risk more accurately will allow us to target treatment to the subjects most at risk. This paper is a review of the current state of knowledge regarding such markers.”

Reference Information

– Parsanathan, R. & Jain, S. K. Novel Invasive and Noninvasive Cardiac-Specific Biomarkers in Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases. *Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders* met.2019.0073 (2019) doi:10.1089/met.2019.0073.
– Ryan, K. Using cardiac-specific biomarkers to predict cardiovascular disease risk early. *EurekAlert!* (2019).

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay.