Cardiopulmonary Risk in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease　― A Perspective for Reducing Mortality ―

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) show a relationship through the sharing of several risk factors, and the prevalence of each disease increases in an age-related manner. Therefore, clinicians are very likely to encounter patients with both diseases. Importantly, the risk of death in patients with CVD is even greater in those with coexisting COPD. Cardiopulmonary risk, defined as “the risk of serious respiratory and/or cardiovascular events in patients with COPD,” is a concept whereby COPD exacerbations (characterized by worsening of COPD symptoms over a short period of time) and/or CVD events may increase the risk of death due to these events in patients with COPD. Lowering cardiopulmonary risk requires appropriate treatment to prevent COPD exacerbations. Inhalation therapies can prevent COPD exacerbations and may reduce mortality rates. Research to investigate whether inhaled therapies can lower cardiopulmonary risk is ongoing. There is a need for early COPD diagnosis and timely, effective treatment that prevents COPD exacerbations while also considering cardiopulmonary risk. We propose an urgent call to action for cardiology and respirology societies to address cardiopulmonary risk and reduce COPD and CVD deaths.