The Correlation of Lung Function Parameters, Blood Pressure and Beta-Blocker Medication in a General Population

Prior studies have investigated possible links between blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, especially beta-blockers and impairment of lung function. The aim of our study was to investigate an association between blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, focusing on beta-blockers, and its influence on lung function parameters in our adult population.

From the two analysed cohorts of the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-1 and SHIP-TREND), pooled data for interview-based information, lung function variables including bodyplethysmography and blood pressure variables were used to perform adjusted linear regression analyses. Association analyses were conducted for the pooled population.

Within the whole pooled population we found some minor statistically significant interrelations in the multivariate analyses for blood pressure and lung function parameters. Statistical correlation between lung function and blood pressure were significant but too weak to be deemed clinically relevant.We also found interrelations between lung function and use of beta-blocker medication. Within the subgroup of individuals with antihypertensive medication containing beta-blockers compared to the reference group we found lower dynamic and static volumes e. g. for FEV1 (-70 ml), FVC (-90 ml), a reduction of TLC (-130 ml) and ITGV (-100 ml), however we did not find an increase in airway resistance (Rtot).

Based on the data of SHIP-1 and SHIP TREND our results confirm a minor association between blood pressure and lung function. More importantly, we have seen a significant decrease of lung volumes for hypertensive patients with beta- blocker medication as described in literature before. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to examine the interrelation between blood pressure, medication and lung function in an epidemiological study using data of spirometry, body plethysmography and CO transfer.