Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with cardiovascular comorbidities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias, leading to increased risks of hospitalization, acute exacerbations, and mortality. Conversely, the prevalence of COPD is also higher among patients with cardiovascular diseases and is associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Acute exacerbations of COPD markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly during the early post-hospitalization period. The overlap between COPD and cardiovascular diseases involves several shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, lung hyperinflation, hypoxemia, and autonomic nervous system imbalance. Common risk factors such as smoking, aging, air pollution, and physical inactivity play important roles in the progression of both conditions.
