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Published on: May 10, 2016

COHb% as a marker of cardiovascular risk in never smokers: results from a population-based cohort study

Bo Hedblad1, Gunnar Engström, Ellis Janzon

  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Epidemiological Research Group, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. Bo.Hedblad@med.lu.se

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
|November 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Elevated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb%) in never-smokers is linked to increased cardiovascular risk. This study shows higher COHb% levels correlate with more cardiac events and deaths in non-smokers.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Environmental health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Carbon monoxide (CO) in blood, measured as COHb%, is a known cardiovascular (CV) risk marker in smokers.
  • Non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke also inhale and absorb CO.
  • Understanding COHb% variations and associated risks in never-smokers is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate inter-individual differences in COHb% among never-smokers.
  • To assess the cardiovascular risk associated with varying COHb% levels in a never-smoking population.
  • To explore the utility of COHb% measurement in risk assessment and population exposure evaluation.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study of 8,333 men aged 34-49 years in Malmö, Sweden.
  • Categorization into smokers (4,111), ex-smokers (1,229), and never-smokers (2,893).
  • Monitoring of cardiovascular disease incidence over a 19-year follow-up period.

Main Results:

  • COHb% levels in never-smokers ranged from 0.13% to 5.47%.
  • Never-smokers in the top quartile of COHb% (above 0.67%) exhibited significantly higher incidence of cardiac events (RR 3.7) and deaths (RR 2.2) compared to the lowest quartile.
  • These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusions:

  • Significant variability in COHb% exists among never-smoking men in urban populations.
  • Elevated COHb% in non-smokers is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
  • COHb% measurement could aid in cardiac risk assessment for non-smokers and estimate population exposure to second-hand smoke.
Abstract

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