Causal Associations of Education Level With Cardiovascular Diseases, Cardiovascular Biomarkers, and Socioeconomic Factors

Abstract

An inverse association of education level with cardiovascular diseases has been documented in observational studies, yet the causality and potential mechanisms remain to be determined. To systematically investigate the causal associations of education level with cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular biomarkers, and socioeconomic factors, a 2-sample Mendelian randomization was performed. The results revealed that higher genetically determined education level was associated with lower risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR]0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47 to 0.61, p=3.04×10-23), peripheral artery disease (OR0.62, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.76, p=2.14×10-06), hypertension (OR0.62, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.70, p=4.22×10-16), coronary heart disease (OR0.62, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.69, p=3.50×10-19), myocardial infarction (OR0.62, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.69, p=2.58×10-16), ischemic stroke (OR0.67, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.74, p=6.00×10-19), deep vein thrombosis (OR0.69, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.87, p=0.0017), atrial fibrillation (OR0.70, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.86, p=0.0007), cardiac death (OR0.71, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.86, p=0.0003), heart failure (OR0.72, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.79, p=6.37×10-12), transient ischemic attack (OR0.76, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.90, p=0.0010), and venous thromboembolism (OR0.79, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.92, p=0.0028). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, body mass index, waist circumference, and triglycerides were decreased, whereas telomere length was increased. Subjects with higher education were less likely to smoke, intake salt, or be exposed to air pollution and depression state. They were more likely to take physical activity and possess more household income. In conclusion, higher education may causally decrease cardiovascular diseases through socioeconomic factors and cardiovascular biomarkers. Reducing education inequality is important in the management of cardiovascular diseases.