Should We Treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as a Cardiovascular Disease?

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by largely irreversible airflow limitation and is associated with several extra-pulmonary manifestations and comorbidities. Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent comorbid conditions affecting patients with COPD and have important prognostic implications for hospitalisation and mortality.
In turn, COPD shares common risk factors with several cardiovascular diseases (i.e. smoking habit), while several features of COPD can predispose to cardiovascular disease (i.e. gas exchange abnormalities, polycythemia, systemic inflammation and sedentary lifestyle). Cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with COPD are under-recognised and undertreated and should be actively sought and treated according to usual guidelines.