Chronic asthma and the risk of cardiovascular disease

Chronic obstructive lung diseases and CVD are common conditions with a significant prevalence worldwide and substantial morbidity. There is a growing body of evidence that associates asthma as a potential risk factor for CVD, in particular, CAD, acute myocardial infarction and stroke. These observations appear to be stronger in patients with uncontrolled asthma and in women. Moreover, asthma that appears later in life has been also linked to CVD. The associations between asthma and CVD are incompletely understood, but chronic and systemic inflammation derived from the airways may have a role in the development of the atherosclerosis and hypercoagulable states. Additionally, eosinophils, smooth muscle factors, endothelial dysfunction and haemodynamic stress may be important factors that link asthma and CVD. These observations have raised clinical awareness and may identify asthmatics with a higher risk profile for CVD, opening an opportunity for potential interventions in the earlier stages of the disease.