A common lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is strongly associated with smoking. One in five Americans over the age of 45 has COPD, but half of them may not know about of it. COPD often involves destruction of lung tissue, called emphysema, as well as narrowed airways, persistent cough, and mucus production, known as chronic obstructive bronchitis, making breathing difficult. 0 

According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine and funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), COPD diminishes the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively even when the disease has no or mild symptoms. New results suggest that changes in the heart occur much earlier than previously believed, in mild cases and even before symptoms appear. 0 

“This study shows that COPD, even in its mildest form, is associated with diminished heart function,” said NHLBI Acting Director Susan B. Shurin, M.D. “We now have evidence that the presence of even mild COPD may have important health implications beyond the lungs.”

“COPD is one of the big killers in the United States, yet it is unknown to many,” said James P. Kiley, Ph.D., director of the NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases. “Unfortunately, many people with COPD don’t recognize common symptoms such as having shortness of breath while doing activities they used to be able to do. It’s important that we continue to increase awareness of the signs of COPD and available treatments.” 0 

Using breathing tests and imaging studies of the chest, researchers measured heart and lung structure and function in 2,816 generally healthy adults with an average age of 61 years. Sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans found mild abnormalities in heart and lung function in many participants, but the link between lung and heart function was strongest in current smokers, who are at risk for both diseases, and especially in those with emphysema. 0 

“These results raise the intriguing possibility that treating lung disease may, in the future, improve heart function,” said Graham Barr, M.D., Dr. P.H., assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, principal investigator of the MESA Lung Study, and lead author of the paper. “Further research is needed to prove whether treating mild COPD will help the heart work better.” 0 

Tags: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, copd, COPD deaths, COPD in adults, COPD in america, COPD in smokers, COPD symptoms, COPD's affects on heart, mild COPD, symptoms of COPD