Evaluation of risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in asthma using 24-hour central blood pressure monitoring

Al Mushari, Muath 2026. Evaluation of risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in asthma using 24-hour central blood pressure monitoring. PhD Thesis, CARDIFF UNIVERSITY. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF (Thesis) - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (10MB) | Preview
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (462kB)

Abstract

Background: People with asthma (PwA) are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), potentially due to shared risk factors such as inflammation, obesity, physical inactivity, and medication effects. Central blood pressure (CBP) reflects the pressure on vital organs and may offer greater prognostic value than peripheral blood pressure. This study aimed to evaluate 24-hour CBP in PwA and healthy comparators (HC), along with vascular and cardiac haemodynamic parameters. The study also aimed to explore the associations between CBP, body composition, lung function, physical activity, and performance measures. Methods: This cross-sectional study included adults with physician-diagnosed asthma and HC. The primary outcome was 24-hour CBP, alongside peripheral blood pressure and haemodynamic parameters, which were assessed non-invasively using the Mobil-O Graph ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device. The device estimates CBP from the brachial pressure waveform using pulse wave analysis, applying either systolic/diastolic calibration (C1) or mean arterial pressure/diastolic calibration (C2) methods. Additional assessments included body composition, lung function (spirometry), airway inflammation, physical activity and physical performance. Results: Participants included 32 PwA (37.3±16.1 years) and 39 HC (31.8±10.9 years) (p>0.05). There were no differences in body composition parameters or lung function between the groups (p > 0.05). PwA had higher 24-hour central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) ii (108.5 ± 11.9 mmHg vs. 104.2 ± 9.2 mmHg; p<0.05) using the C1 method, but not in peripheral systolic blood pressure (peripheral SBP) (p>0.05). Arterial stiffness parameters, including aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and augmentation index adjusted to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx@75), were higher in PwA compared with HC. aPWV was 6.1 ± 1.4 m/s in the PwA and 5.4 ± 1.0 m/s in the HC (p < 0.05). Similarly, AIx@75 was higher in PwA (20.8 ± 8.1%) than in HC (17.5 ± 6.4%; p < 0.05). cSBP-C1 was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and fat mass (FM%), and negatively associated with fat-free mass (FFM) and the Forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV₁/FVC) (all p < 0.05). In the multiple regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference remained independent predictors of cSBP-C1 (p < 0.05). No associations were found between cSBP-C1 and physical performance or activity levels in either PwA or HC (p>0.05). Conclusion: Relatively young adults with asthma may exhibit elevated 24-hour cSBP and arterial stiffness, suggesting early cardiovascular risk. Higher BMI and waist circumference were independently associated with cSBP, while lower FEV₁/FVC was associated with higher cSBP, suggesting that obesity-related factors and airway dysfunction may contribute to central haemodynamic burden in asthma. Together, these findings support the clinical relevance of CBP and arterial stiffness monitoring in asthma care.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Healthcare Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 July 2026
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2026 15:54
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188443

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item