Gout raises heart attack risk in men

Gout, and high levels of uric acid in the blood are linked to an increased likelihood of having a heart attack among men at high risk of coronary artery disease. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania examined the association between gout and heart attack. They conducted what they hoped to be a conclusive study that analysed data from a large trial. The study included 12,866 men (average age 46 years old) deemed to be at high risk of coronary events based on their smoking status, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. During follow-up of approximately 6.5 years, 1108 subjects had a heart attack. At the start of the study, nearly 9 percent of the men had gout and 42 percent had high uric acid levels. An initial analysis showed that uric acid levels were not linked to the overall rate of heart attacks, but gout showed a small association. The rate was 11 percent among men with gout versus 8.4 percent among those free of gout. After taking account of demographics, lifestyle, as well as use of aspirin, diuretic, and alcohol, and other factors, the researching team found that heart attacks were more frequent in those with high uric acid levels having gout.