No evidence for genome-wide interactions on plasma fibrinogen by smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index: results from meta-analyses of 80,607 subjects.

Plasma fibrinogen is an acute phase protein playing an important role in the blood coagulation cascade having strong associations with smoking, alcohol consumption and body mass index (BMI). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a variety of gene regions associated with elevated plasma fibrinogen concentrations. However, little is yet known about how associations between environmental factors and fibrinogen might be modified by genetic variation.

Association between emphysema-like lung on cardiac computed tomography and mortality in persons without airflow obstruction: a cohort study.

Background: Low lung function is known to predict mortality in the general population, but the prognostic significance of emphysema on computed tomography (CT) in persons without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is uncertain.

Objective: To determine whether greater emphysema-like lung on CT is associated with all-cause mortality among persons in the general population without airflow obstruction or COPD.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Exome sequencing identifies rare LDLR and APOA5 alleles conferring risk for myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI), a leading cause of death around the world, displays a complex pattern of inheritance. When MI occurs early in life, genetic inheritance is a major component to risk. Previously, rare mutations in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) genes have been shown to contribute to MI risk in individual families, whereas common variants at more than 45 loci have been associated with MI risk in the population.

Obesity, subclinical myocardial injury, and incident heart failure.

Objectives: The study sought to evaluate the association of obesity with a novel biomarker of subclinical myocardial injury, cardiac troponin T measured with a new high-sensitivity assay (hs-cTnT), among adults without clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Background: Laboratory evidence suggests a relationship between obesity and myocardial injury that may play a role in the development of heart failure (HF), but there is limited clinical data regarding this association.

Methods: We evaluated 9,507 participants in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study without baseline CVD (Visit 4, 1996 to 1999).

Obesity related risk of sudden cardiac death in the atherosclerosis risk in communities study.

Objective: To examine the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in community dwelling individuals.

Methods: Data from a multicentre, prospective, cohort study of 14 941 men and women (African American, and white), aged 45-64 years, participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study was analysed. Obesity measures were assessed at baseline (1987-1989).

Prospective study of sickle cell trait and venous thromboembolism incidence.

Background: Sickle cell trait may increase risk of venous thromboembolism, but this is not fully established.

Objectives: We sought to determine the association of sickle cell trait with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Methods: Middle-aged African Americans participating in a prospective, population-based cohort investigation, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, were followed from 1987 through 2011 for incident hospitalized pulmonary embolism (n = 111) or isolated deep vein thrombosis (n = 138), verified by physician review of medical records.

Heart failure risk prediction in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Objective: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of mortality especially in older populations. Early detection of high-risk individuals is imperative for primary prevention. The purpose of this study was to develop a HF risk model from a population without clinical cardiac disease.

Genetic markers associated with plasma protein C level in African Americans: the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study.

Protein C is an endogenous anticoagulant protein with anti-inflammatory properties. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect the levels of circulating protein C in European Americans. We performed a genome-wide association (GWA) scan of plasma protein C concentration with approximately 2.

Inflammation markers and incident venous thromboembolism: the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort.

Background: Inflammation biomarkers are associated with the venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors obesity and age; however, the relationships of inflammation with VTE risk remain controversial.

Objectives: To examine associations of four inflammation biomarkers, i.e.

Association of sick sinus syndrome with incident cardiovascular disease and mortality: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and Cardiovascular Health Study.

Background: Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a common indication for pacemaker implantation. Limited information exists on the association of sick sinus syndrome (SSS) with mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population.

Methods: We studied 19,893 men and women age 45 and older in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study and the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), two community-based cohorts, who were without a pacemaker or atrial fibrillation (AF) at baseline.

Elevated hepatic enzymes and incidence of venous thromboembolism: a prospective study.

Purpose: Approximately 10% of the general population has elevated blood concentrations of hepatic enzymes, which are linked to increased coagulation markers. We tested whether elevated hepatic enzymes are associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods: We followed 12,604 adults with measurements of alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) prospectively for VTE occurrence.

Temporal trends in the population attributable risk for cardiovascular disease: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background: The extent to which the relative contributions of traditional cardiovascular risk factors to incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) may have changed over time remains unclear.

Methods And Results: We studied 13 541 participants (56% women, 26% black) in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, aged 52 to 66 years and free of CVD at exams in 1987 through 1989, 1990 through 1992, 1993 through 1995, or 1996 through 1998. At each examination, we estimated the population attributable risks (PAR) of traditional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking) for the 10-year incidence of CVD.

Heart failure risk across the spectrum of ankle-brachial index: the ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between ankle brachial index (ABI) and the risk for heart failure (HF).

Background: The ABI is a simple, noninvasive measure associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and death; however, the relationship between ABI and risk for HF is less well characterized.

Methods: Between 1987 and 1989 in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) study, an oscillometric device was used to measure blood pressure in a single upper and randomly chosen lower extremity to determine the ABI.

Parathyroid hormone concentration and risk of cardiovascular diseases: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Background: According to a recent meta-analysis, parathyroid hormone (PTH) excess is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but existing studies are limited. We examined in a prospective study the association of PTH with the incidence of CVD, taking into account vitamin D and other confounding variables.

Methods: The ARIC study measured PTH using a second-generation assay (Roche, Indianapolis, IN) in stored serum samples from 1990 to 1992 and related levels in 10,392 adults to incident cardiovascular outcomes (coronary heart disease [n = 808], heart failure [n = 1,294], stroke [n = 586], peripheral artery disease [n = 873], atrial fibrillation [n = 1,190], and CVD mortality [n = 647]) through 2010 (median follow-up 19 years).

Incidence of and risk factors for sick sinus syndrome in the general population.

Background: Little is known about the incidence of and risk factors for sick sinus syndrome (SSS), a common indication for pacemaker implantation.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the epidemiology of SSS.

Methods: This analysis included 20,572 participants (mean baseline age 59 years, 43% male) in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) study and the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study), who at baseline were free of prevalent atrial fibrillation and pacemaker therapy, had a heart rate of ≥ 50 beats/min unless using beta blockers, and were identified as of white or black race.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of venous thromboembolism: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Background: Some evidence suggests that an inadequate vitamin D level may increase the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Whether a low vitamin D level plays a role in venous thromboembolism (VTE), that is, venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is largely unexplored.

Objectives: We tested prospectively, in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort, whether the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) is inversely associated with VTE incidence, and whether it partly explains the African American excess of VTE in the ARIC Study.

Serum magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are associated with risk of incident heart failure: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major source of morbidity and mortality, particularly among the elderly. Magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are micronutrients traditionally viewed in relation to bone health or chronic kidney disease. However, they also may be associated with risk of cardiovascular disease through a broad range of physiologic roles.

Systolic blood pressure levels among adults with hypertension and incident cardiovascular events: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study.

Importance: Studies document a progressive increase in heart disease risk as systolic blood pressure (SBP) rises above 115 mm Hg, but it is unknown whether an SBP lower than 120 mm Hg among adults with hypertension (HTN) lowers heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction risk.

Objective: To examine the risk of incident cardiovascular (CV) events among adults with HTN according to 3 SBP levels: 140 mm Hg or higher; 120 to 139 mm Hg; and a reference level of lower than 120 mm Hg.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A total of 4480 participants with HTN but without prevalent CV disease at baseline (years 1987-1989) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study were included.

A genetic association study of D-dimer levels with 50K SNPs from a candidate gene chip in four ethnic groups.

Introduction: D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, is related to risk of cardiovascular disease and venous thromboembolism. Genetic determinants of D-dimer are not well characterized; notably, few data have been reported for African American (AA), Asian, and Hispanic populations.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a large-scale candidate gene association study to identify variants in genes associated with D-dimer levels in multi-ethnic populations.

Association of kidney disease measures with ischemic versus hemorrhagic strokes: pooled analyses of 4 prospective community-based cohorts.

Background And Purpose: Although low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria are associated with increased risk of stroke, few studies compared their contribution to risk of ischemic versus hemorrhagic stroke separately. We contrasted the association of these kidney measures with ischemic versus hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods: We pooled individual participant data from 4 community-based cohorts: 3 from the United States and 1 from The Netherlands.

Smoking behavior and lung cancer in a biracial cohort: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study.

Background: In the U.S., the incidence of lung cancer varies by race, with rates being highest among black men.

Use of coronary artery calcium testing to guide aspirin utilization for primary prevention: estimates from the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

Background: Aspirin for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) is only recommended for individuals at high risk for CHD although the majority of CHD events occur in individuals who are at low to intermediate risk.

Methods And Results: To estimate the potential of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to guide aspirin use for primary prevention of CHD, we studied 4229 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who were not on aspirin at baseline and were free of diabetes mellitus. Using data from median 7.

Separate prediction of intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke.

Objectives: To develop and validate 10-year cumulative incidence functions of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods: We used data on 27,493 participants from 3 population-based cohort studies: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, median age 54 years, 45% male, median follow-up 20.7 years; the Rotterdam Study, median age 68 years, 38% male, median follow-up 14.

Osteosarcopenic obesity: the role of bone, muscle, and fat on health.

Osteopenia/osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and obesity are commonly observed in the process of aging, and recent evidence suggests a potential interconnection of these syndromes with common pathophysiology. The term osteosarcopenic obesity has been coined to describe the concurrent appearance of obesity in individuals with low bone and muscle mass. Although our understanding of osteosarcopenic obesity's etiology, prevalence, and consequences is extremely limited, it is reasonable to infer its negative impact in a population that is aging in an obesogenic environment.