New Developments in Medicine
More than 12 million Americans are currently living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). While this common lung condition can exhibit symptoms including shortness of breath and wheezing, for some patients, these symptoms are mild to almost non-existent. A recent study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), however, found that even patients with asymptomatic to mild COPD may have impeded heart function.
A Look at the Heart and Lungs
Appearing in The New England Journal of Medicine, the NHLBI study looked at the impact of COPD, which is the fourth-leading cause of death in Americans according to the National Institutes of Health, on the function of the heart. The results were surprising—impaired function of organs such as the heart is not limited to moderate or severe cases of COPD. Even COPD patients with mild symptoms were found to experience a decrease in heart functioning.
The study itself used 2,816 adults, who were 61 years of age on average and participants in a larger study through the NHLBI. The participants underwent breathing tests and imaging studies that viewed the structure of the heart and lungs. Two of the imaging tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, found abnormalities in the heart and lungs of a number of participants. Current smokers with COPD symptoms were the largest number of participants who showed these abnormalities, but similar abnormalities also appeared in people with mild COPD symptoms—even if the individual had never smoked.
While interesting, the results of the study need to be further examined before researchers can make a recommendation about the possible benefits treating patients with mild COPD symptoms.
| Take a Deep Breath
There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the condition can be managed through a variety of current treatment options—it can also be prevented through proactive measures to protect your health. Experts agree that one of the best ways to prevent the development of conditions such as COPD is not to smoke. If you are currently a smoker, consider beginning a smoking cessation program. Other steps you can take to help prevent COPD include avoiding air pollutants and getting prompt treatment for respiratory infections. It is also imperative to be screened for the condition—especially if you are a smoker—so COPD can be caught early and treatment can begin at the optimal time. For patients over age 45, physicians can order a simple lung function test to detect COPD. |
Sources: www.nhlbi.nih.gov, www.cdc.gov, www.nih.gov
DID YOU KNOW?
COPD patients who low blood-oxygen levels are often given supplemental oxygen.
If you quit smoking, your body will begin to correct some of the damage done by your smoking habit in as little as 12 hours.
In addition to lowering your risk of developing chronic health conditions, your senses of taste and smell, among other things, will improve when you quit smoking.
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