COPD can lead to heart disease in patients

Progressive, inflammatory lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema are termed as COPD. Though it is used to constitute a smaller portion of non-communicable diseases, it has become a major health risk globally.

COPD patients suffer from various symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath and chronic cough. Patients have an increased risk of developing co-morbid cardiovascular diseases.

COPD affects an estimated 210 million people worldwide and is the fourth leading cause of death.  India accounts for a quarter of deaths caused worldwide by COPD, with 22.2 million patients in 2016. It is progressive (usually gets worse over time) and can turn into a life-threatening disease.

Among the long list of co-morbid conditions seen in COPD patients, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the most common and associated with an increased risk of death. A typical COPD patient is just as likely to die from a cardiovascular cause as they are from a respiratory one.

Dr. P K Thomas, Pulmonologist and General Physician at KK Nagar, Chennai, says “COPD patients with lung hyperinflation are at risk of co-morbid diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). 

This has various unfavourable outcomes ranging from poor quality of life, a greater number of hospitalisations and increased risk for CVD mortality.” Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, both of which generally accompany COPD, can also cause cardiovascular diseases.”

He further added,”Smoking remains an important risk factor for both COPD and CVDs patients as it directly causes chronic and systematic inflammation. Pollution has also emerged as a new threat. 

However, today there are new treatments available which help COPD patients to breathe and function normally. Bronchodilators have proven to be one of the most effective treatment options.”

Focusing on pollution as a new threat, India, featured at No 16 in the world’s 30 most polluted cities, according to a 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) report.

Medical experts believe awareness about COPD condition, on its diagnosis, treatment will help many having the ailment. Evidence indicates that the increased risks for CVDs are particularly diagnosed in COPD patients in mid-to-late-middle-age. 

Thus, it becomes imperative to raise awareness about the benefits of early intervention.