Management of COPD With Cardiovascular Risk in Asia: A Review by the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology COPD Assembly

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a high burden in Asia. These patients are also susceptible to various cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A panel of expert Asian pulmonologists explored the published literature to understand the impact of COPD and CVD on each other and to identify the cardiopulmonary risk factors in the region. The experts concluded that an elevated risk of all-cause mortality and acute cardiovascular events persists for up to 2 years following moderate and severe COPD exacerbations, with the risk of death being highest in the first 30 days after the exacerbation. High smoking rate (especially in males), high indoor and outdoor air pollution in Asia, relatively low vaccination rate in Asia (especially in low- and middle-income countries), and relatively low rate of utilisation of inhaler medications impact the cardiopulmonary risk in Asia.