Physical activity, fitness, and vascular health in patients with asthma

High levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are elevated in asthma, and all are associated with increased CVD risk.2,3 Reduced endothelial vasodilation is seen in early stages of CVD development and is predictive of CVD.4 Patients with asthma have reduced endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness than do those without asthma.5,6 Systemic inflammation impairs endothelial function7 and increases arterial stiffness,8 but it is unknown whether there is a connection between systemic inflammation, vascular function, and arterial stiffness in subjects with asthma. Characteristic Control Asthma P value (2-tailed) Sample size, n (male/female) 16 (8/8) 16 (10/6) .72 Age (y) 26.6 ± 5.2 27.8 ± 6.1 .58 BMI (kg/m2) 24.7 ± 3.5 24.6 ± 4.6 .96 FEV1 prebronchodilator (% predicted) 96.3 ± 12.1 81.3 ± 15.1 .004 FEV1 postbronchodilator (% predicted) 100.9 ± 13.2 91.6 ± 12.6 .051 Feno (ppb) 17.9 ± 8.5 37.3 ± 40.9 .16 Asthma Control Questionnaire score 0.1 ± 0.2 1.0 ± 0.4