London: A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham found that having lung disease may increase your chances of developing heart disease, regardless of other risk factors such as smoking or age.

The study involved more than 220 patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a rare genetic disorder that causes a lung disease similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).・Published in the Journal of Rare Diseases.

AATD reduces the body’s production of proteins that protect the lungs. If affected, symptoms may include chronic cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Despite having lower traditional risk factors, AATD patients showed higher vascular stiffness, and 45% had conflicting risk scores.

Alarmingly, 12.7% developed cardiovascular disease within four years. Conversely, participants in the control group with COPD had similar risk-his scores.

Blood tests revealed a link between elevated levels of the enzyme proteinase 3, which is associated with lung damage, and increased blood vessel stiffness, suggesting a direct pathway to heart disease.

Researchers have proposed proteinase-3 inhibitors as a potential treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease, highlighting their dual impact on lung and heart disease.