Inflammatory biomarkers, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), pentraxin-3 and the chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), also referred to as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), are often elevated in patients with HFpEF.14,15 Chronic, low-grade, systemic inflammation might have detrimental effects on myocardial structure and function (Graphical Abstract). This evidence concerns the gene CCL2 and inflammation.