People with history of asthma, allergies may be more at risk of high blood pressure —Study
A new study has revealed that people who have a history of asthma or allergies may be at higher risk of developing high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.
The study conducted by researchers in China used a 2012 data from the National Health Interview Survey, which included over 10,000 adults who had asthma or at least one allergic disorder such as a respiratory, food or skin allergy.
The lead author of the study, a postdoctoral researcher at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital in China, Yang Guo, said in a statement that the research has further highlighted the need to pay better attention to the blood pressure of patients with allergic disorders.
“For patients with allergic disorders, routine evaluation of blood pressure and routine examination for coronary heart disease should be given by clinicians to ensure early treatments are given to those with hypertension or coronary heart disease.”
Guo said although prior studies found a link between allergic disorders and cardiovascular disease, the findings remain controversial.
The present study, Guo said, is aimed at determining whether individuals who have allergic disorders have high cardiovascular risk.
The findings of the research will be presented at the American College of Cardiology and Korean Society of Cardiology’s spring conference in Gyeongju, South Korea.
According to the study findings, participants between ages 18 and 57 who had previously dealt with an allergic disorder had an increased risk of high blood pressure. Also, the study discovered that individuals with allergies between the ages of 39 and 57, male and Black/African American had a higher risk for coronary heart disease.
People who had asthma had the highest risk for developing high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, the study revealed.
Based on the study findings, the researchers encouraged clinicians to add a cardiovascular risk assessment to clinical examinations of individuals with asthma and allergies.
“Further large cohort studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.
“Additionally, appreciating the underlying mechanism may help future management in such individuals,” Guo said.
Reacting to the study, a consultant cardiologist at the Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Shwarji Damar, said, “Everything said in the finding is true.
“However, one thing that was not mentioned was that asthma can cause right ventricular heart failure.
“Persistent airway resistance causes increased pulmonary artery pressure which in turn leads to dilatation and hypertrophy of the right heart (atrium & ventricle) over time, hence the development of heart failure.”
“I agree with the suggestion that those with asthma or allergy should have a periodic cardiovascular risk assessment to determine possible heart conditions on time or to treat existing conditions,” the cardiologist said.
