Retinopathy and risk of congestive heart failure

Abstract

CONTEXT: Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects a substantial proportion of adults including those without preexisting coronary heart disease. The pathogenesis of CHF is uncertain, but microvascular disease has been hypothesized as a possible factor. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of retinopathy, a marker of systemic microvascular disease, to risk of CHF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-based, prospective 7-year cohort study in 4 US communities using the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study database. Participants (n = 11,612, aged 49 to 73 years) had retinal photographs taken between 1993 and 1995. The photographs were graded according to a standardized protocol ..