Epigenetic Modifications as Predictive Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Disease: A Longitudinal Study on DNA Methylation Patterns and Disease Risk

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and early detection and prevention are essential to reduce its burden. Although traditional risk factors such as hypertension and lipid levels are standard predictors, they tend to identify the risk of disease at a later date There is an urgent need to develop more accurate, leading-edge biomarkers indicating molecular changes that occur before the onset of clinical symptoms. Epigenetic changes, in particular DNA methylation, provide a promising approach to identify individuals at risk for CVD. Despite advances in understanding the genetic underpinnings of CVD, little is known about how dynamic epigenetic modifications influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors can serve as early predictive biomarkers the risk of the disease. This study aims to address this gap by investigating whether DNA methylation patterns can predict future CVD risk before clinical manifestations. The primary objective of this study was to systematically investigate the association between DNA methylation patterns and CVD risk. Specifically, the study seeks to identify regions where DNA methylation changes are associated with cardiovascular outcomes and investigate the predictive potential of these epigenetic changes for future disease. 1,000 participants aged 30-75 years were followed for 5 to 10 years. Periodic blood samples were collected for DNA methylation analysis by bisulfite sequencing and microarrays. Major CVD risk factors such as adiposity, hypertension and smoking status were also controlled. Comprehensive statistical models were used to assess the association between DNA methylation changes and CVD incidence. Participants who developed CVD showed significant differences in DNA methylation in regions associated with lipid metabolism (e.g., APOA5) and inflammation (e.g., TNF-α) Over time, those who developed heart disease and vascular events revealed progressive hyper methylation of key genes, with 85% sensitivity 78 to predict future CVD risk % and specificity skin. These methylation patterns were discovered years before the appearance of conventional clinical pathology. This study shows that DNA methylation patterns are determinants of acute cardiovascular risk, providing a novel approach for early detection and prevention The findings suggest the inclusion of epigenetic biomarkers in routine risk assessment about may improve the identification of individuals at high risk for CVD It is important to inform individuals at high risk of CVD of the diagnosis and to explore possible interventions that can alter change a occurs in this epigenetic and reduced CVD risk.