risk individuals who are not currently identified by traditional risk factors," the study added. "Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of risk reduction in these patients." The Minnesota researchers drew their information from a multiyear study involving thousands of women age 50 to 79 whose health histories were traced on a number of levels. Women in the highest 25 percent in terms of white blood cell count when the research started had a doubled risk of death from heart disease over the years compared to women in the lowest 25 percent. In addition, women in the highest white blood cell count group "had a 40 percent higher risk for nonfatal myocardial infarction (heart attack) a 46 percent higher risk for stroke ..." the study added.
