Abstract 11621: History of Asthma Increases the Risk for Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Hypothesis and Objectives: The state of chronic Inflammation associated with asthma may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood. This study evaluated prospectively the association between history of asthma and CVD in a cohort of postmenopausal women. Methods: Study participants are postmenopausal women (n= 90,168) who are free of cardiovascular disease at baseline, evaluated from 1993-1998. We used self-report of physician diagnosed asthma to define the exposure. Information on treatment for asthma in addition to CVD risk factors were collected. The association between asthma and the incidence of CVD and coronary heart disease (CHD) was evaluated using cox proportional hazards models. Results: Among 90,168 women in the study sample, 6,921 (7.68%) reported asthma at baseline. Baseline characteristics were similar between the asthma and no asthma groups although asthmatics were more obese (36% vs 27%; p<0.0001) and had higher hypertension rates (38% vs 31%; p<0.0001). As compared to the no asthma group with CVD and CHD rates of 8,078 (9.7%) and 5,800 (6.97%), respectively, the asthma group had higher rates of CVD and CHD, 803 (11.6%) and 595 (8.6%) respectively. When adjusted to age plus all CVD risk factors, the HR for CVD events was 1.21 (95% CI 1.12-1.31) and for CHD events was 1.24 (95% CI 1.14 - 1.36). The association remained significant in different models (see table). Conclusion: Asthma was associated with a modestly increased risk for CVD and CHD in postmenopausal women. Further studies needed to explore this association.