Dysfunctional blood pressure and heart rate regulation increases the risk of pulmonary disease

What is it about?

In this study of 25 000 Swedish citizens that were followed for more than 30 years, we show that an instability in blood pressure response upon standing and an increased resting heart rate increase the risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the future. Blood pressure instability upon standing and an elevated resting heart rate indicate an imbalance in the part of the nervous system (the autonomic nervous system) that is responsible for controlling the cardiovascular and respiratory system. We thus suggest that an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system is a risk factor that should be considered when evaluating the risk of developing COPD, in addition to tobacco smoking and other factors that increase the risk of COPD.

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Why is it important?

An imbalance in the autonomic nervous system is a risk factor that should be considered when evaluating the risk of developing COPD, in addition to tobacco smoking and other factors that increase the risk of COPD.