New research published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases suggests that patients with lung disease, particularly those with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), have an increased risk of developing heart disease, independent of traditional risk factors such as age and smoking.
The study compared over 220 patients with AATD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a control group without lung disease. Patients were assessed for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors, including vascular stiffness, over a four-year period.
Results showed that AATD patients had the highest vascular stiffness scores, despite having lower conventional risk factors for CVD compared to COPD and control participants. Approximately 12.7% of AATD patients developed CVD during the study period.
Furthermore, blood tests revealed elevated levels of the enzyme Proteinase 3 in AATD patients, which was linked to vascular stiffness and increased CVD risk. Researchers suggest that Proteinase 3 inhibitors could be a potential therapeutic target to prevent cardiovascular disease in AATD patients.
This study sheds light on the complex interplay between lung and heart health and suggests new avenues for targeted therapies to mitigate cardiovascular risk in patients with lung diseases like AATD.