A simple blood test may help identify those at high risk of dying from heart disease
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., M.S.
Large study has revealed that high levels of the blood test, GGT increases risk of heart disease.
The test measures the level of an enzyme produced by the liver called GGT.
The 17 year study consisted of 163,944 Austrian adults and focused on the relation of GGT to the risk of death from CVD.
In both men and women, high GGT levels were found to be significantly associated with total mortality from cardiovascular disease.
In men, high GGT was positively associated with increased fatality of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke.
The study went on to show that patients with high levels of GGT had more than one and a half times the risk of dying from heart disease compared to people with normal GGT-levels.
Researchers hope this might become a quick way to identify and treat high risk patients.
Dr. Grisanti's Comments:
GGT has been a standard part of my blood profile over the last few years. I would encourage all patients to demand that your physician include a GGT, homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein as part of your annual physical examination blood profile.
Reference
Ruttmann E, Brant LJ, Concin H, Diem G, Rapp K, Ulmer H.Glutamyltransferase as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease Mortality. An Epidemiological Investigation in a Cohort of 163 944 Austrian Adults. Circulation. 2005 Sep 26;
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