Comorbid Heart Disease in Patients with COPD is Associated with Increased Hospitalization and Mortality - A 15-Year Follow-Up.

Comorbid heart disease in patients with COPD is associated with an increased risk for all-cause hospitalization and mortality, mainly due to an increase of hospitalization and death of cardiovascular and other causes, but not because of respiratory disease. This finding advocates the need of a strong clinical focus on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with COPD.