The white blood cell count and risk for coronary heart disease.

In conclusion, the WBC count has been demonstrated in several epidemiologic studies to be a strong independent predictor of future coronary heart disease. Although it is not possible at this point in time to be certain that the elevated WBC count is a cause rather than a consequence of ischemic heart disease, recent pathophysiologic studies suggest that the white blood cell, in particular the neutrophil, is instrumental in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia. It is conceivable that patients who develop acute myocardial ischemia have abnormal leukocyte function before the onset of the acute event, which provides a pathophysiologic milieu for the progression of the atherosclerotic process. Future research must focus on further elucidation of the properties of WBCs and clarification of the role of the activated neutrophil in the process of vascular injury. Quantitative and qualitative changes in leukocyte function may have important implications in the development of CHD.