Packed With Promise: Blood Test May Predict Heart Attack Risk

"Unfortunately, most heart attacks and most strokes happen in people who have average cholesterol and not severely elevated blood pressure," Libby said.

Studies show that once it is detected, inflammation can be treated effectively by drugs commonly used to treat high cholesterol, like Lipitor and Zocor, as well as aspirin, exercise and weight loss.

There is much logic here. I have been reading the inflammation hypothesis literature recently. The data are very convincing. We have much indirect evidence that we should address inflammation. We do not have, however, good prospective data on efficacy. Should we test everyone and start more statins? And what dose of statins should we use? Do we then recheck the CRP level to show normalization? I have mixed feelings here. Although, I must confess that if I had a strong family history, I would probably get tested and if positive take a statin. But I still think that I'm playing the odds without clear data.