COPD affects your heart as well as your lungs

When people think about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), they often focus on breathing problems. But it can affect more than just the lungs. People living with COPD also have a higher risk of heart problems.

This can include heart attack, angina, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, and stroke. The link between the lungs and the heart is sometimes called cardiopulmonary risk. This is the risk to both the heart and lungs.

One of the biggest triggers for this risk is a COPD flare-up (exacerbation). A flare-up is when signs such as shortness of breath, cough, or mucus (phlegm) get worse without warning. A COPD flare-up puts a lot of extra strain on your body, especially your heart. Low oxygen levels, inflammation, and this extra strain can affect how well your heart works and raise the chance of a heart attack or stroke.

The risk to the heart does not end when breathing feels better. Studies show that the risk of heart problems is highest in the days after a flare-up, but it can stay higher for 12 months after.

This is why keeping COPD well managed matters. Fewer flare-ups mean less strain on the heart.

There are simple steps you can take to protect your lungs and your heart:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about support options to help you stop smoking

• Have a COPD Action Plan and see your doctor early if your symptoms change

• Use your inhalers (puffers) the way your doctor, nurse or pharmacist have shown you

• Keep up to date with recommended vaccines, including flu, COVID, pneumonia (pneumococcal) and RSV

• Stay active in ways that feel right for you

• Keep track of your flare-ups, even milder ones, and let your doctor know.

If you’ve had a flare-up, even your first one, it is a good time to talk with your GP or lung specialist about your heart health. Many people with COPD don’t notice any heart symptoms at all. You can be at higher risk without ever feeling chest pain or tightness. That’s why heart checks matter, even when you feel okay.

Simple checks can help you know your heart risk and find problems early, including:

• High blood pressure

• Abnormal cholesterol (blood fat levels)

• Abnormal heart rhythms

If you live with COPD, or care for someone who does, think about asking: “How can I lower my risk of harm to my lungs and my heart?”

You can ask your GP or lung specialist: 

• “Is my COPD plan still right for me?” 
• “Should I have my heart checked?” 
• “What can I do to stop flare-ups?” 

You can also ask for help if using your puffers is hard, or if you are unsure about your plan. 

The key message 

Looking after COPD is not only about breathing. It is also about protecting your heart. With the right support, small positive steps can lower your risk and help you live well.