Approved Research

Childhood-onset asthma and cardiac structure, function, and disease risk: evidence from the UK Biobank

Lay summary

Aims:

Our research aims to understand how asthma that starts in childhood may affect the heart as people grow older. We want to know if there's a connection between childhood asthma and changes in the heart's structure, how well it works, and if it increases the risk of heart problems later in life.

Scientific Rationale:

While we know a lot about how asthma affects breathing, we're still learning about its impact on other parts of the body. Some studies suggest that asthma might have long-term effects on the heart, but we need to investigate this further. By studying a large group of people, we hope to find out if childhood asthma is linked to changes in the heart and if so, why that might happen.

Project Duration:

This research will take a few years (could be 2-3 years) to complete. We'll analyse data from a group of people who have shared their health information with us over time. This long-term data allows us to see how things change and develop as people age.

Public Health Impact:

Understanding the connection between childhood asthma and heart health is important for everyone's well-being. If we discover that there's a link, doctors can use this information to better care for people with a history of childhood asthma. It could also help us create strategies to prevent heart problems in these individuals. Our findings might influence how doctors and policymakers approach healthcare, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of asthma on overall health. Ultimately, our goal is to improve the health and quality of life for people who experienced asthma in their early years.