A regular medical exam could soon contain a simple, low-cost blood test, which could help assess one’s risk of heart disease. At a scientific meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans, researchers presented a new study, which found that even among people who appear to be in good health with relatively low cholesterol, the blood test could indicate a risk of a heart disease or a stroke. The test is based on determining the high level of a specific protein. A patient could reduce his risk of heart disease by using the popular statin drugs. The study involved 18,000 people in 26 countries, but could benefit a lot more.

The test, also known as CRP, measures if people have elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, an indication of inflammation that can be associated with increased risk of heart disease. The test costs about $20. It is well known for years that elevated levels of low-density (LDL) cholesterol are associated with coronary heart disease and that lowering these levels can reduce the number or strokes of heart attacks. The use of statin drugs can lower LDL cholesterol and inflammation. Some voices say that the results of the study were influenced by the pharmaceutical firm that makes the statin drugs.

Besides taking this test, people should  not lose sight of standard public health guidelines to reduce heart and stroke risk, such as losing weight, quitting smoking and exercising. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every 26 seconds, an American has a coronary event, and about one person every minute dies from it, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This study found that those who take statin drugs are 54 percent less likely to have a heart attack, 48 percent less likely to have a stroke and 46 percent less likely to require angioplasty or bypass surgery.