High-Sensitivity Troponin T and Cardiovascular Events in Systolic Blood Pressure CategoriesNovelty and Significance: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Based on observational studies there is a linear increase in cardiovascular risk with higher systolic blood pressure, yet clinical trials have not shown benefit across all systolic blood pressure categories. We assessed if troponin-T measured using high-sensitivity assay was associated with cardiovascular disease within systolic blood pressure categories in 11191 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study participants. Rested sitting systolic blood pressure by 10-mmHg increments and troponin categories were identified. Incident heart failure hospitalization, coronary heart disease and stroke were ascertained over a median of 12 years after excluding individuals with corresponding disease. Approximately 53% of each type of cardiovascular event occurred in individuals with systolic blood pressure<140 mmHg and troponin-T≥3ng/L. Higher troponin-T was associated with increasing cardiovascular events across most systolic blood pressure categories. The association was strongest for heart failure and least strong for stroke. There was no similar association of systolic blood pressure with cardiovascular events across troponin-T categories. Individuals with troponin-T≥3ng/L and systolic blood pressure<140mmHg had higher cardiovascular risk compared to those with troponin-T<3ng/L and systolic blood pressure 140-159 mmHg
