This is also supported by other studies showing that having a low FVC and FEV1 is associated with a higher risk of hypertension,7 diabetes,8, 10 myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death.11 12 The biological explanation for the association is unclear, but several studies have shown an association between low FVC and FEV1 and systemic inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen,11 C reactive protein (CRP)13 14 and interleukin-6 (IL-6).15 16. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is diabetes mellitus.