Evaluation of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in asthma using 24-hour central blood pressure monitoring [Abstract]

Almushari, M., Gale, N. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5207-9863, Al-Amri, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2806-0462 and McDonnell, B. 2026. Evaluation of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in asthma using 24-hour central blood pressure monitoring [Abstract]. Physiotherapy 132 (S1) , 102012. 10.1016/j.physio.2026.102012

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Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate 24-hour central blood pressure (CBP) and arterial stiffness in adults with asthma and explore how these cardiovascular measures correlate with lung function (assessed by spirometry), self-reported physical activity, and functional performance (handgrip strength (HG) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT). The goal is to better understand the role of respiratory and physical capacity in cardiovascular risk among individuals with asthma. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, and participants were recruited from both the community and an asthma clinic. Assessments included body composition, spirometry, airway inflammation via Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), physical activity, and physical performance tests, all of which were conducted in the laboratories of the School of Health Sciences at Cardiff University. Central and peripheral BP measurements were obtained using the validated Mobil-O-Graph 24h device (I.E.M. GmbH, Stolberg, Germany), which employs systolic/diastolic (C1) and MAP/diastolic (C2) calibration methods to estimate CBP. CBP was recorded every 30 minutes for a 24-hour period at home. Results: The cross-sectional study included 71 participants, comprising 31 adults with physician-diagnosed asthma and 39 people without asthma (comparator). People with asthma group had a mean age of 37.3 ± 16.1 years, compared to 31.8 ± 10.9 years in the comparator group (p > 0.05). People with asthma had significantly lower handgrip strength than the comparator group (28.4 ± 8.1 kg vs. 33.5 ± 10.1 kg; p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in six-minute walk test distance (p > 0.05), METs per week (p > 0.05), or physical activity levels based on IPAQ-SF (p > 0.05). Regarding cardiovascular measures, the asthma group had a significantly higher 24-hour mean central systolic blood pressure (108.5 ± 11.9 mmHg vs. 104.2 ± 9.2 mmHg, p < 0.05) as measured using the C1 calibration method. No significant differences were observed in central systolic blood pressure estimated using the C2 calibration, nor in peripheral systolic blood pressure (p > 0.05). Arterial stiffness markers, including PWV and AIx, were also significantly higher in the asthma group, p < 0.05. Additionally, 50% of people with asthma exhibited a non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure pattern, compared to 29.7% in the comparator group. There was no significant correlation between central systolic BP (using either C1 or C2 calibration) and 6MWT, HG, or physical activity levels (p > 0.05). Conclusion(s): People with asthma may exhibit elevated central systolic BP and impaired nocturnal dipping, which could contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of central BP monitoring in asthma and support the need for targeted cardiovascular risk management in this population. Impact: This study highlights elevated 24-hour central systolic BP, increased arterial stiffness, and impaired nocturnal dipping in adults with asthma. Using non-invasive ambulatory monitoring (Mobil-O-Graph 24h), the research provides novel evidence supporting central haemodynamic assessment in asthma care. These findings emphasise the need for integrated cardiovascular monitoring in asthma management and provide a foundation for future research aimed at improving long-term outcomes. The study contributes to the growing recognition of asthma as a multi-system condition requiring broader clinical attention beyond the lungs and airways.

Item Type:	Short Communication
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Healthcare Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0031-9406
Last Modified:	03 Aug 2026 11:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188690

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