Study links asthma and allergic rhinitis to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

There is a significant association between asthma, allergic rhinitis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study.

The study analyzed data from 603,140 adults representing a population of over 225 million, investigated the relationship between physician-diagnosed asthma and allergic rhinitis and various cardiovascular conditions. Exposures considered were lifetime and past-year diagnoses of asthma and allergic rhinitis, while outcomes included physician-diagnosed heart conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD), angina, heart attack, and non-specific “heart condition.”

Results of the study indicated that 11.44% of participants reported at least one heart condition, with CHD being the most prevalent (4.27%) across the 20-year pooled data. Asthma and allergic rhinitis were consistently associated with higher rates of CVD in all analyses.

Specifically, lifetime asthma was linked to increased odds of CHD, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.36, while a past-year asthma attack showed even stronger effects with an OR of 1.66. The association between a past-year asthma attack and angina was particularly pronounced, with an OR of 2.42. Additionally, allergic rhinitis independently correlated with higher odds of CHD, with an OR of 1.25.

These findings underscore the importance of early screening for cardiovascular disease among patients with severe or uncontrolled asthma and allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for further research to explore the underlying immunological mechanisms in these patients and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Reference
Nagarajan S, Rosenbaum J, Joks R. The Relationship Between Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma and Cardiovascular Disease in the National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS), 1999-2018. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024;S2213-2198(24)00154-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.02.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38341139.