Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, otherwise known as COPD, is now the third leading cause of death globally -; one out of every four men and one of every six women who live to be 95 years old will develop COPD.
COPD describes many conditions that obstruct airflow in and out of the lungs. Research shows that patients with COPD are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension. In fact, according to findings reported in the October 2008 issue of the European Respiratory Journal, more than half of the patients who have COPD will also develop cardiovascular disease, diabetes or hypertension.
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