A meta-analysis including 17 studies showed that baseline IL-6 levels were significantly higher in ASCVD cases than in non-ASCVD controls (MD, 0.36 pg/mL; 95%CI, 0.28 to 0.44 pg/mL) [33], suggesting that higher IL-6 levels in healthy individuals are associated with ASCVD risk. Here, IL6 is linked to atherosclerosis.