Relationships between cardiopulmonary function and dangerous cardiovascular factors in Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a risk factor for mortality. Cardiopulmonary function (CRF) is a modifiable CVD risk factor, and low CRF levels are associated with an elevated CVD risk. However, few comprehensive explorations of the relationship between CRF and cardiometabolic health in CVD exist. Therefore, this study investigated the relationships between CVD risk factors and CRF. Methods In this cross-sectional study, CRF was measured using the peak oxygen uptake (i.e., peak VO 2 ) and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The participants were also assessed for body composition, blood glucose-related markers, blood lipid-related markers, blood pressure, and cardiovascular markers. Participants’ self-reported data on cigarette/snuff use and alcohol consumption were collected using a questionnaire. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the cross-sectional correlations between CVD risk factors and CRF, controlling for covariates. Results Six hundred and fifty participants were included; the average age was 42 years (interquartile range: 35–51 years old), and the average CRF was 21.5 mL/kg/min. CRF was significantly and positively associated with body mass index (β = 0.149, p  < 0.001), body fat percentage (β = 0.248, p  < 0.001), waist circumference (β = 0.498, p  < 0.001), hip circumference (β = 0.285, p  < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (β = 0.02, p  < 0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.005, p  < 0.05). Significant negative correlations were observed between CRF and fasting blood glucose (β = − 0.023, p  < 0.05), creatinine content (β = − 0.322, p  < 0.05), C-reactive protein (β = − 0.026, p  < 0.05), and lipid accumulation product (β = − 0.8824, p  < 0.05). CRF was not related to glycosylated hemoglobin content, blood pressure, vascular markers, total cholesterol, triglycerides, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions CRF was associated with several CVD risk factors, suggesting that improving CRF will benefit individuals by reducing the risk of CVD. CRF can be improved via exercise interventions.