Cheap blood test could save lives of thousands of heart attack patients, study says

The study suggests that a test used to diagnose arthritis and lupus can help doctors detect those at high risk of death after a suspected heart attack, reports Aisha Rimi

More than 250,000 patients who were admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack as part of the study (PA)

A cheap blood test could save the lives of thousands of heart attack patients, according to a new study.

Funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the study was carried out by experts from Imperial College London, who found the quick test can help doctors to spot people at high risk of death following a suspected attack.

In the study published in PLoS Medicine, researchers in collaboration with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Informatics Collaborative (HIC), used data from more than 250,000 patients who were admitted to hospital with a suspected heart attack.

In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that measuring levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) – a known sign of inflammation – in the blood of people after a heart attack can help pinpoint whether they are at risk of dying in the next three years.

The blood test, which is already used in hospitals to diagnose other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and lupus, may help inform choices, with those at the highest risk closely monitored and given more intensive treatment, the BHF said.

At the moment, when doctors think a person has had a heart attack, they perform a blood test for troponin, a protein that is released into the bloodstream when the heart is damaged. Now, scientists have found that measuring CRP levels at the same time provides a detailed picture.

One of the therapies that could be tested as a potential treatment is the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine, which is known to be effective against atherosclerosis – the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.

Dr Ramzi Khamis, from Imperial College London, said: “Testing for this biological ‘red flag’ at the same time as other hospital tests identifies those more vulnerable patients who should be receiving closer medical attention.

“Importantly, we hope with more research, we can be successful in developing new therapies that specifically combat inflammation to improve outcomes in heart disease.”

Normally, the level of CRP in the blood is 2 mg/L or under. However, the research found that a raised measurement of 10-15 mg/L CRP in those with a positive troponin test predicted an over 35 per cent increased risk of death three years later.

Professor James Leiper, associate medical director at the BHF, said: “This test presents a valuable new tool in doctors’ arsenal to direct quick and effective care for the millions of heart attack patients.

“By better identifying which people are most at risk, this simple blood test could help to direct anti-inflammatory treatments to those who most need it.”