BERLIN ( Dispatches) --
According to the European Society of Cardiology, approximately 10% of new coronary heart disease cases occurring within a decade of middle age could be avoided by preventing iron deficiency.
The study included 12,164 individuals from three European population-based cohorts. The median age was 59 years and 55% were women. During the baseline study visit, cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities such as smoking, obesity, diabetes and cholesterol were assessed via a thorough clinical assessment including blood samples.
Study author Dr. Benedikt Schrage of the University Heart and Vasculature Centre Hamburg said the study showed that iron deficiency was highly prevalent in the middle-aged population, with nearly two-thirds having functional iron deficiency. The individuals were more likely to develop heart disease and were also more likely to die during the next 13 years.