A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, persons with persistent asthma may be more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke due to the formation of carotid artery plaque.

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study data were utilized to conduct this analysis, which looked at the possible relationship between carotid artery plaque and asthma. All participants in the MESA study underwent an ultrasound of their left and right carotid arteries before the study′s start to look for any carotid artery plaque. The total plaque score determined the number of plaques in the walls of both carotid arteries. At the beginning of the MESA trial, blood levels of the inflammatory biomarkers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also assessed.

The researchers examined the health records of 5,029 adults, with an average age of 61, who had baseline cardiovascular disease risk factors and carotid ultrasound data. The cohort of this analysis′s participants was divided into three groups: those with intermittent asthma, persistent asthma, and those without asthma.

Results showed that 67% of participants with persistent asthma and 49.5% of those with intermittent asthma had a carotid plaque. The average number of carotid plaques was two in individuals with persistent asthma and one in those with intermittent asthma. Additionally, there was an average of one carotid plaque in 50.5% of the people who did not have asthma.

Participants with persistent asthma reported greater inflammatory biomarkers levels than those without asthma. The researchers found that the relationship between persistent asthma and carotid artery plaque was not diminished, even after considering IL-6 and CRP in the fully adjusted study.

The study suggests that several factors contribute to the higher risk of carotid plaques in individuals with persistent asthma. Everyone can enhance their cardiovascular health by adhering to the American Heart Association′s Life′s Essential 8 recommendations.

(Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/persistent-asthma-associated-with-plaque-buildup-in-carotid-arteries-study-101669214737694.html)