Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive lung disease resulting from exposure to cigarette smoke,\r\nnoxious gases, particulate matter, and air pollutants. COPD is exacerbated by acute inflammatory insults such as lung infections\r\n(viral and bacterial) and air pollutants which further accelerate the steady decline in lung function. The chronic inflammatory\r\nprocess in the lung contributes to the extrapulmonary manifestations of COPD which are predominantly cardiovascular in nature.\r\nHere we review the significant burden of cardiovascular disease in COPD and discuss the clinical and pathological links between\r\nacute exacerbations of COPD and cardiovascular disease.
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