Researchers have warned that individuals with asthma face an increased risk of two often "fatal" conditions. A new study has found that having asthma doubles the risk of experiencing a heart attack and stroke. American researchers discovered that the reason for this is that the majority of asthma patients have more plaque buildup in their carotid arteries than those without the chronic inflammatory disease. The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. Plaque accumulation is typically associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and even obesity and smoking. However, chronic inflammation in the airways, a side effect of asthma, can also lead to plaque buildup over time. When plaques rupture, they can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
The researchers found that those suffering from "persistent asthma," a form of asthma that exacerbates weekly or even daily, are most at risk for heart disease compared to those with "intermittent asthma," which occurs once every few months. The lead author of the study, Professor Matthew C. Tattersall from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated, "Many doctors and patients are unaware that airway inflammation caused by asthma can affect the arteries. Therefore, for those with persistent asthma, managing cardiovascular risk factors could be really beneficial."
The study, published in the American Heart Association journal, analyzed the health data of more than 5,000 adults at risk for heart disease. Participants had varying degrees of asthma, while some showed no signs of the disease. It was found that plaque in the carotid artery was present in 67% of participants with persistent asthma and 50% of those with intermittent asthma. Meanwhile, half of the individuals without asthma (50%) also had carotid plaques. Those with persistent asthma have, on average, double the amount of plaques compared to those with intermittent asthma and those without asthma.
Professor Matthew explained, "Participants with persistent asthma have high levels of inflammation in their blood, even though their asthma is treated with medication, highlighting the inflammatory characteristics of asthma. We know that elevated inflammation levels have negative effects on the cardiovascular system." Managing cardiovascular risk factors through lifestyle and behavior modification can be a powerful preventive tool for patients with more severe forms of asthma.
