Core Concepts
Longer leukocyte telomere length is associated with better cardiac function and reduced risk of heart failure.
Abstract
The content discusses a study linking leukocyte telomere length (LTL) to cardiac health and heart failure risk.
TOPLINE:
- LTL associated with higher left ventricular mass and larger ventricular size.
- Better cardiac function and lower heart failure risk linked to longer LTL.
METHODOLOGY:
- Telomeres shorten with cell division.
- Study included 40,459 UK Biobank participants.
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance scans provided cardiac measurements.
- LTL measured using peripheral blood leukocyte DNA.
- Participants stratified by LTL quartile.
TAKEAWAY:
- Positive association between LTL and left ventricular mass.
- Longer LTL linked to larger ventricular volume and better cardiac parameters.
- Longer LTL associated with lower heart failure risk.
IN PRACTICE:
- Modulation of LTL dynamics may improve cardiovascular structure and function.
SOURCE:
- Study by Nay Aung, MBBS, PhD, published in JAMA Cardiology.
LIMITATIONS:
- Study participants may not represent the general population.
- Majority of participants were White.
- Telomere length measured in blood leukocytes.
- LTL and CMR measurements taken at different times.
DISCLOSURES:
- Study authors received support from various organizations.
Stats
"After accounting for differences in age, sex, height, and weight, there was a positive association between LTL and left ventricular mass (LVM) (β = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34 – 0.60; P = 3.97 × 10 −12 )."
"An adjusted analysis showed longer LTL was associated with a lower risk of HF (LTL fourth quartile vs first quartile: hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.81 – 0.91; P < .001)."
Quotes
"The findings suggest modulation of LTL dynamics 'may have a role in improving cardiovascular structure and function, which could potentially explain the observed lower future risk of heart failure,' the authors write."