The Article in Brief

Background Pulmonary crackles (also called rales) are explosive respiratory sounds that occur when breathing in. Although they can be a sign of heart failure, little is known about pulmonary crackles in patients at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In this study, researchers examine the characteristics of pulmonary crackles in patients who are at high risk for congestive heart failure but have not developed heart disease or symptoms of heart failure.

What This Study Found Elderly patients at high risk for developing heart failure frequently have audible pulmonary crackles, even when there are no signs of cardiac dysfunction or lung disease. In cardiovascular patients with apparently normal heart function, the risk of pulmonary crackles increases 3-fold every 10 years after 45 years of age.

Implications

• It is important to recognize "age-related" crackles so that they are not mistakenly identified as a sign of heart failure deterioration. Other clinical tests should be run to determine whether crackles are related to cardiac dysfunction