Ceruloplasmin and heart failure in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) decreases nitric oxide bioavailability in blood and has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in clinical studies. We assessed the associations between Cp and incident heart failure (HF), death, and CVD in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Cp was measured at ARIC visit 4 (1996-1998). We studied 9240 individuals without HF or CVD at ARIC visit 4 and followed them for a mean of 10.5 years. Genome-wide association study was performed to identify genetic determinants of Cp levels and evaluate their association with incident HF in ARIC participants. Cp levels (mean±SD) were higher in women versus men (335±79 versus 258±44 mg/L; P