400. Cardio-Rheumatology: Targeting Inflammation for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction with Dr. Paul Ridker

In this episode, Dr. Paul Ridker, a pioneer in the field of cardiovascular inflammation, joins the CardioNerds (Dr. Gurleen Kaur, Dr. Richard Ferraro, and Dr. Nidhi Patel) to discuss the evolving landscape of inflammation as a key factor in cardiovascular risk reduction. The discussion dives into the importance of biomarkers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in guiding treatment strategies, the insights gleaned from landmark trials like the JUPITER and CANTOS studies, and the future of targeted anti-inflammatory therapies in cardiology. Show notes were drafted by Dr. Nidhi Patel. Audio editing by CardioNerds academy intern, Grace Qiu.  This episode was produced in collaboration with the American Society of Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) with independent medical education grant support from Lexicon Pharmaceuticals. CardioNerds Prevention PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls - Targeting Inflammation for Cardiovascular Risk * "If you don’t measure it, you can’t treat it”: Incorporate hs-CRP into routine practice for patients at risk of cardiovascular events, as it provides crucial information for risk stratification and management. * Recognize the dual benefits of statins in lowering both LDL and inflammation, particularly in patients with elevated hs-CRP. * Encourage patients to adopt heart-healthy habits, as lifestyle changes remain foundational in reducing both cholesterol and inflammatory risk. * Reminder that most autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, from psoriasis to Addison’s disease to lupus to scleroderma to inflammatory bowel disease, have been shown to have elevated cardiovascular risk * Ongoing randomized trials including ZEUS, HERMES, and ARTEMIS will inform whether novel targeting of IL-6 can safely lower cardiovascular event rates or slow renal progression Show notes - Targeting Inflammation for Cardiovascular Risk Why is it important to measure both LDL and hs-CRP, and what factors increase hs-CRP? * Inflammation and hyperlipidemia are synergistic in promoting atherosclerosis. They interact to exacerbate plaque formation and instability,