Multiple observational studies linking markers of inflammation such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) to several cardiovascular diseases25,34, pilot studies successfully testing IL-1 blockade in stroke35 and myocardial infarction36 as well as the cardiovascular benefits conferred by anti-inflammatory disease modifying drugs in RA including unspecific agents such as methotrexate and targeted biologicals like IL-1β and TNF-α antagonists26,37 led to the initiation of large randomized clinical trials testing anti-inflammatory therapies in cardiovascular conditions. Here, IL1B is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.