Heart disease, though often overlooked, is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., accounting for over 310,000 deaths in 2021—about 20% of female fatalities, according to the CDC. Despite this, around 80% of women aged 40 to 60 have at least one risk factor for coronary artery disease, yet only half recognize heart disease as their primary health threat. Experts suggest that identifying risk factors earlier could prompt women to take crucial steps to protect their health.

Heart disease, though often overlooked, is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., accounting for over 310,000 deaths in 2021—about 20% of female fatalities, according to the CDC. Despite this, around 80% of women aged 40 to 60 have at least one risk factor for coronary artery disease, yet only half recognize heart disease as their primary health threat. Experts suggest that identifying risk factors earlier could prompt women to take crucial steps to protect their health.

The biomarkers tested are not new, but they are accessible and affordable, costing between $10 and $12 each, says study author Dr. Paul Ridker, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The biomarkers tested are not new, but they are accessible and affordable, costing between $10 and $12 each, says study author Dr. Paul Ridker, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The participants, who were health professionals, had an average starting age of 55 but ranged from 40 to older. The study found that one-quarter had high blood pressure, one-eighth were current smokers, nearly 3% had a history of diabetes, and about 14% had a parent who had a heart attack before age 65.

At the study's outset, about 28,000 women provided blood samples, which were analyzed for three biomarkers: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipoprotein(a) (LP(a)).