Reduced Lung Function Increases Cardiovascular Risk

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 14 Jun 2005 - 7:00 PDT

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New research shows that reduced lung function is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and ischemic heart disease.

In an analysis of 1,861 participants of the first National Health and Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, researchers from Canada found that people with the most reduced lung function (measured by FEV1) are at greatest risk for cardiovascular morbidity.

These patients had five times the risk of ischemic heart disease when compared with patients having strong lung function.

A literature review of 12 large cohort studies, which included 83,880 participants, supported the notion that those with reduced FEV1 were at higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. This association was found to be independent of smoking status, age, gender, and other factors.

The study appears in the June issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. News briefs from the journal CHEST June 2005
Contact: Jennifer Stawarz
jstawarz@chestnet.org
847-498-8306
American College of Chest Physicians
http://www.chestnet.org