Clarifying the Link between the Blood Lactate Concentration and Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

The blood lactate value at rest (Lac rest) is linked to cardiovascular outcomes. It is unclear whether this association holds true in younger, healthy subjects, especially as the pathophysiological connection between Lac restand cardiometabolic disease is not well understood. The aim of this study is clarifying the link between Lac restand cardiovascular risk, and to study explanatory factors for the variance of Lac restconcerning metabolism and physical activity in a population of healthy patient-Athletes. The distribution and intra-individual variability of Lac restwas assessed based on 9051 samples. The 10-year cardiovascular risk was then approximated using the Framingham risk score in a group of 1315 samples from patient-Athletes. Cross-validated linear regression was used to analyze explanatory variables for Lac restand 10-year cardiovascular risk. Lac restis weakly associated with the Framingham score. This association disappears when adjusting for blood lipids. Lac restis also linked to the predominant type of exercise with endurance athletes featuring a higher Lac rest.Lac restdoes not independently predict the estimated cardiovascular risk but is associated with lipid parameters. Moreover, the intra-individual variability of Lac restis high in a relevant number of subjects, which does not point towards the feasibility to use Lac restas an individual risk factor.