The increase in highly differentiated and cytotoxic cell subsets within the CD8 T‐cell compartment in patients with CAD is in keeping with other studies which have demonstrated associations between ‘senescent’ cytotoxic CD8 T cells and arterial stiffness,39 hypertension,40 and higher short‐term mortality following heart attack.41 Here, CD8A is linked to myocardial infarction.