Abstract P037: Epigenetic Markers of Cardiovascular Health Trajectories and Coronary Artery Calcification in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Background: Trajectory of AHA’s cardiovascular health (CVH) through young adulthood are associated with subclinical CVD. The human epigenome is modifiable by lifestyle and environmental factors and may be an important mechanism of CVH outcomes. We sought to determine associations of epigenetic markers with CVH trajectories and with coronary artery calcification (CAC) through young adulthood. Methods: Among CARDIA ppts, we performed methylome analysis at follow up year (Y) 15 and Y20 using Illumina Methylation EPIC array (~850K CpG loci). We compared methylome between those with optimal CVH at baseline and remained stable (optimal-stable, n=645) and individuals with baseline optimal but declining CVH during follow up (n=100) to identify methylomic biomarkers of CVH trajectories. Differentially methylated CpGs were further examined in association with incident CAC risk at Y25 (n=745), and for their potential mediating role in CVH-associated CAC risk. Results: In 1,087 CARDIA ppts (mean age=25 at baseline), ...