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Inflammation markers associated
with blocked arteries

      Washington: Hardening of the arteries in the legs is strongly associated with biological markers of inflammation, which may be a warning sign of heart trouble, say Tulane University epidemiologists. In a recently published article, the researchers suggest that an inexpensive test for inflammation may be a good start to identifying warning signs of heart trouble. Inflammation occurs when the body responds in an effort to repair damaged tissue, including the scarring and hardening of arteries over time. 'Our data show that a high leukocyte (an inflammation marker) count was moderately predictive of peripheral arterial disease,' says lead author Rachel Wildman, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

    Leukocytes are commonly known as white blood cells. 'Leukocyte count can be assessed using an inexpensive routine test. Our data call for future research to examine whether this test may be good enough for screening purposes.' Results from the study show that adults with the highest levels of inflammation markers were twice as likely to have peripheral arterial disease than those with low levels of inflammation. Inflammation was most strongly associated with PAD in non- Hispanic blacks, current smokers and middle-aged patients. .
-Jan 22,  2006