News Summary

• Chronic inflammation may contribute to harmful changes in the heart's structure.
• It was also linked to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
• These changes may begin years before a person notices any cardiovascular symptoms.
• People with higher inflammation tended to have thicker heart walls, smaller heart chambers and poorer heart filling - all changes which may develop quietly for years before progressing to heart failure.
• Inflammation was also strongly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and psychological distress.
• More familiar cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking and excess body fat, were linked to higher inflammation as well.