COPD and Heart Disease

Some people have more than 1 health problem at one time. If you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis, 2 main conditions of COPD, you may also have heart disease. There is no direct link between COPD and heart disease. But the 2 conditions may affect each other. People with COPD or heart disease often have trouble breathing during normal tasks or physical activities.

With COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the lungs and airways are damaged. The damage is most often caused by breathing in irritants over a long period of time. Your airways can become blocked with mucus or collapse. Because of this, air doesn’t flow normally through the airways in your lungs. This can cause shortness of breath or trouble breathing.

Heart disease is any condition that affects how the heart works or the heart rhythm, or cause damage to the heart muscle, structure, valves, or vessels. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It occurs when an artery that brings blood to the heart becomes blocked or narrowed. If the artery is blocked, it can lead to a heart attack. Heart disease also includes other conditions. These include heart valve disease, heart failure, and heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).

How does COPD raise your risk for heart disease?

Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD. Smokers are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease or stroke. Even secondhand smoke raises your risk for heart disease. Not everyone with COPD will get heart disease. But you are more likely to raise your risk for it when you have COPD.

Most people who develop COPD were smokers. Smoking makes your blood sticky. This can cause your blood to clot. When your blood clots, blood flow to the heart and brain is blocked. It also raises your blood pressure. This raises your risk for heart disease.

Smoking harms your lungs. This affects the delivery of oxygen to the body. COPD can cause inflammation in the body. This raises the risk of having coronary artery disease (CAD). COPD lowers the oxygen level in the blood. So your heart muscle may not get enough blood and oxygen. This puts extra strain on your heart. It can cause heart disease.

Symptoms of heart disease

Some heart disease symptoms are the same as COPD symptoms. But there are many different heart disease symptoms to look out for. If you are being treated for COPD and have any of the symptoms below, call right away:

• Trouble breathing or talking

• Lips or fingernails turn blue or gray

• Symptoms gets worse and your medicine or treatments are not working

• Dizziness, confusion, or feeling light-headed

• Very fast heartbeat

The symptoms below may be a sign of heart disease. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

• Shortness of breath that gets worse

• Sudden weight gain

• Coughing more than normal

• Tiredness and weakness that get worse

Warning signs of a heart attack

A heart attack is a major health event. It happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. Many of the heart attack symptoms are very much like heart disease symptoms. They may start suddenly. Call right away if you have any of these warning signs:

• Chest pain or discomfort that lasts for more than a few minutes

• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach

• Shortness of breath

• Weakness or numbness in arms and legs

• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded

• Feeling of sudden tiredness and weakness

• Breaking out in a cold sweat

• Vomiting or upset stomach, heartburn, indigestion, or belly pain

Treatment for heart disease

Heart disease can be an ongoing health problem. But treatment will help you feel better. Your healthcare provider will work with you to make a treatment plan. Your treatment plan may include:

• Quitting smoking. This is the most important risk factor you can change. If you smoke, it's never too late to help your heart. Ask your provider about nicotine replacement products and smoking cessation support. Quitting smoking is the single biggest way to reduce your risk of heart disease. Quitting can help make your symptoms better.

• Taking medicine. Medicines help treat the symptoms of heart disease. They can also lower the chances that you will have serious health issues and have to go to the hospital. Take your medicines every day as directed.

• Joining a cardiac rehab program. Cardiac rehab is a program that gives you the skills you need to manage both COPD and heart disease in your daily life. Ask your provider if this program is available for you.