(NaturalPath) According to a study by the American Heart Association and published in their journal, people diagnosed with asthma as adults may have an increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Cardiovascular risk factors should be closely monitored in patients with late-onset asthma.
“Though it’s usually not recognized as such, there are several different types of asthma, each with some unique features,” said the lead author. “We looked at the type known as late-onset asthma, which tends to be more severe and more difficult to control with medicines than asthma that begins in childhood.”
The study looked at 1,269 adults with an average age of 47, who were without cardiovascular disease over 14 years. The comparison was between late-onset (defined in this study as beginning at age 18 or older) who had an average age of 39.5 years vs the early-onset group, who had an average age of 8.9 years. During the study, the researchers tracked cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, angina, cardiac revascularization and cardiovascular death.
Some of the results of the study were that those with late-onset asthma were 57 percent more likely to suffer a cardiovascular event than those without asthma. People with late-onset asthma compared to non-asthmatics were more likely to be female (67 percent vs 44 percent) and to have a higher body mass index. Additionally, the researchers found that participants with early-onset asthma had no difference in cardiovascular disease events compared to non-asthmatics.
Patients with late-onset asthma can increase their chances of remaining heart healthy and stroke free by exercising, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a normal body weight. So if you are diagnosed with late-onset asthma, keep a watchful eye on your cardiovascular health.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.