Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., FAHA, American Heart Association Deputy Chief Science and Medical Officer.

Offering perspective on AHA Scientific Sessions 2020 Presentation P1917 
copyright American Heart Association 2020

"This study examined global longitudinal strain in the left ventricle as a measure of cardiac function and that was a sensitive enough marker to be able to show differences in these groups. I was particularly pleased that the authors point out that they plan to go ahead and analyze the same data but in regard to blood pressure and in regard to vascular changes specifically. I think that's important because you know, one marker as opposed to studying many markers this will end, ending these others will really add strength to their eventual report of all the data that they can look at in the same individuals. 

The fact that they were able to see changes with 1,100 people and you know, quite a range of exposures I think it's quite important. It always important to think about what other issues might have caused similar changes and that's something that we'll learn from the authors as they present this and ultimately write it up. Certainly families that smoke may have other adverse health hazards, dietary health might not be perfect, exercise might not be we what we want it to be. There can be other aspects that might have contributed to this but once they add these other markers that will certainly be important as well."