Tag Archives: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Mechanisms linking COPD and CVD The interrelationship between COPD and CVD is underpinned by several interconnected pathophysiological mechanisms.3,5 Chronic systemic inflammation, a hallmark of COPD, extends beyond the lungs, contributing to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular dysfunction.5 Elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 are observed in both conditions, suggesting a shared inflammatory pathway.6 Oxidative stress, another key feature of COPD, leads to endothelial dysfunction and vascular damage, accelerating the progression of CVD.7 This is exacerbated by shared risk factors, particularly s