Hyperuricemia as an Early Indicator of Cardiovascular Risk in the General Population

This prospective cohort study examines the association between hyperuricemia (HU) and cardiovascular diseases. We analyzed data from 4,082 participants, dividing them into two groups based on serum uric acid levels. Our findings reveal that participants with elevated serum uric acid or xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) therapy had a significantly higher incidence of cardiovascular events such as coronary artery disease (8.4% vs 3.3%), stroke (2.6% vs. 1.2%), heart failure (3.4% vs. 0.9%), and chronic kidney insufficiency (4.5% vs. 1.9%) compared to those with normal uric acid levels. Moreover, group 2, which had higher serum uric acid levels, also exhibited a higher burden of established cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. These results support the hypothesis that HU is not only a marker for metabolic dysfunction but may also serve as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We propose that routine measurement of uric acid levels could be a valuable tool for early identification of high-risk cardiovascular patients, particularly in individuals with multiple metabolic risk factors. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the potential benefits of early XOI therapy in reducing cardiovascular events.