Lung Function Decline in Young Adulthood and Coronary Artery Calcium Progression in Midlife

BACKGROUND: Reduced lung function has been linked to cardiovascular disease, but population-based evidence on the relationship between lung function decline and coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression is rare.METHODS: A total of 2694 participants (44.7% men) with a mean + standard deviation age of 40.4 + 3.6 years from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) were included. The rates of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) over a 20-year period were calculated for each participant and categorized into quartiles. The primary outcome was CAC progression.RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 8.9 years, 455 (16.9%) participants had CAC progression. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for CAC progression were higher for participants in the 2nd (Q2), 3rd (Q3), and highest quartiles (Q4) of FVC decline compared with those in the lowest quartile (Q1): 1.366 (1.003-1.861), 1.412 (1.035-1.927), and 1.789 (1.318-2.428), respectively. Similar trends were observed for the association between FEV1 and CAC progression. The association remained robust across a series of sensitivity analyses and all subgroups.CONCLUSIONS: A faster decline in FVC or FEV1 during young adulthood is independently associated with an increased risk of CAC progression in midlife. Maintaining optimal lung function during young adulthood may improve future cardiovascular health.

Automated summary

This study found that a faster decline in lung function during young adulthood is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery calcium progression in midlife. Participants with a higher rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) had a higher risk of coronary artery calcium progression. Maintaining optimal lung function during young adulthood may improve future cardiovascular health.