Elevated Fibrinogen Levels Increase Risk of Heart Disease in Women

(American guild of Cardiology) Fibrinogin levels are a more powerful predictor in women than they are in men of the risk to evolve coronary artery disease and to have a myocardial infarction, according to a thought of 781 persons identified at being at risk of coronary disease. There were 286 women and 495 men in the investigation Self reported and clinically confirmed coronary artery disease were calculated for each 50 mg by dL (5.0 g per L) increase in fibrinogen using logistic regression techniques. Separate logistic regression patterns were developed for patients with fibrinogen plains at or above 395 mg by dL (3.95 g per L) and those with fibrinogen horizontals less than 395 mg by dL (3.95 g per L) In the 180 characters with complete data and fibrinogen flushs of at least 395, merely age was a significant predictor of coronary artery disease. However, in those with fibrinogen evens less than 395 mg by dL (3.95 g per L) age, sex smoking status and diabetes were significantly related to risk of developing coronary artery disease. The investigators terminate that elevated fibrinogen levels in women are an "ominous risk factor" that negates a women's typical inflection for sex advantage.-Joanne Micale Foody, m.d., et al., The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

COPYRIGHT 1999 American Academy of Family Physicians

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