Cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: etiopathogenetic relationship and clinical significance (literature review)

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often coexist. Comorbidity of CVD and COPD is a serious modern medical and social problem. This article discusses the main risk factors that are common for COPD and CVD: smoking, infl ammation, a sedentary lifestyle, aging, and oxidative stress. Pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the relationship between COPD and CVD are also discussed.