Serum β-carotene concentrations and the risk of congestive heart failure in men: a population-based study

Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with lower risk for cardiovascular diseases, but data on congestive heart failure (CHF) are inconsistent. The association of serum carotenoids, biomarkers reflecting fruit and vegetable intake, with the risk of CHF has not been well documented in previous studies. We therefore examined the association between carotenoid levels and the risk of CHF.

Data were available for 1031 males aged 46 to 65 years participating in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (Finland). Baseline data for the present study were collected between 1991 and 1993. The association between serum concentrations of carotenoids and the risk of CHF was examined by using Cox proportional hazard models.

During the median of 17.8 follow-up years, CHF occurred in 72 patients. Age and examination year adjusted risk (hazard ratio, HR) for CHF among men within the lowest quartile of serum β-carotene was 4.08 (95% CI, 1.90-8.78, p<0.001) as compared to men in the highest quartile of serum β-carotene. After further adjustment for many potential confounders, men with the lowest quartile of β-carotene had almost 3-fold increased risk of CHF (HR=2.78, 95% CI, 1.23-6.25, p=0.014). However, serum concentrations of lycopene and α-carotene were not related to the risk of CHF.

The present study suggests that low concentrations of serum β-carotene may be associated with an increased risk of CHF.