The impact of ischemic heart disease on symptoms, health status, and exacerbations in patients with COPD

This study examined the impact of comorbid ischemic heart disease on health status, exercise capacity, and symptoms in patients with COPD; overall, 386 patients with COPD were included in the study, of which 64 and 322 did and did not have comorbid heart disease. Outcomes of interest included symptoms in the stable and exacerbated states, health status, exercise capacity, and the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Post-bronchodilator FEV1 and FVC were measured using a Vitalograph wedge bellows spirometer.