Professor John HURST is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at UCL, London, with a primary clinical and research interest in COPD. His particular focus is on exacerbation detection and mitigation, imaging and cardiovascular risk. His clinical work at the Royal Free Hospital includes specialist and community COPD clinics, the London Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Service, and a joint Respiratory-Immunology service for people living with primary immunodeficiency. He is Vice Dean (International) to the Faculty of Medical Sciences and holds a personal NIHR Global Health Research Professor award.

Abstract:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease frequently exists as a component of multi-morbidity, especially in older people. Cardiovascular diseases are particularly prevalent, with an increased cardiovascular risk associated with COPD which is further exaggerated at the time of a COPD exacerbation. Emerging data support the concept that optimizing COPD care has beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes, leading to the concept of ‘cardiopulmonary risk’. This presentation will provide a state-of-the-art summary on the evidence supporting mechanistic links between COPD and cardiovascular health, and provide a practical approach for clinicians to improve outcomes and health in COPD by taking an holistic approach.