Cumulative lifecourse cardiovascular health and interstitial lung abnormalities

Extract There are shared antecedent risk factors [1, 2] and pathobiological mechanisms [3] between pulmonary fibrosis and cardiovascular disease, suggesting these two distinct disease entities may be linked though common biological pathways. Studies consistently demonstrate a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease among individuals with interstitial lung disease (ILD) [4]; however, these studies largely capture cardiovascular status at a single point, after pulmonary fibrosis has developed. This cross-sectional approach limits insight into whether cardiovascular health (CVH) truly represents an upstream risk factor for the development and progression of ILD.