Serum Level of Lactate Dehydrogenase is Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk as Determined by the Framingham Risk Score and Arterial Stiffness in a Health-Examined Population in China

Introduction: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an important oxidoreductase in the anaerobic metabolic pathway. The role of LDH in arterial stiffness (AS) and 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD10) risk has not been established. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional, and observational study evaluated the relationships between the LDH level and AS and CVD10 risk in 12,597 health-examined people (6988 men and 5609 women; mean age, 49.49 years) in China. Brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used to estimate AS. The Framingham CVD 10-year risk prediction model was used to calculate the CVD10 risk score. Results: In both sexes, an increased LDH level was associated with increased AS and CVD10 (men: β = 0.032, P < 0.001; women: β = 0.025, P < 0.001). Half of the population with a high LDH level ( ≥ 172 U/L) showed significantly increased AS and CVD10 risk score. Men and women with baPWV ≥ 1400 cm/s had a higher LDH level, and the latter was significantly different from that of the group with baPWV < 1400 cm/s (men: 176.93± 30.99 vs 173.00± 33.36, P < 0.001; women: 189.10± 34.20 vs 171.39± 31.08, P < 0.001). In both sexes, a higher level of LDH was noted in groups with higher CVD10 risk score (men: 176.65± 32.51 vs 172.94± 32.46, P < 0.001; women: 202.51± 44.05 vs 175.73± 32.39, P < 0.001). Discussion: An increased LDH level may be associated with AS and CVD10 risk. The LDH level could be a new predictor of AS and CVD10 risk in health-examined populations.