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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) predominantly affects older adults, and claimed 3 million lives in 2016, making it the third leading cause of death worldwide. Over 35 million Americans aged 40 or older have lung function consistent with diagnosable COPD. COPD and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have a bidirectional relationship, in that one is a risk factor for developing the other. National and international consortiums recommend early screening of adults at risk of COPD, such as those with CVD. Recommended screening strategies include screening tools to assess symptoms, medical history, and handheld spirometry. Handheld spirometry has high diagnostic accuracy and if impaired lung function is indicated, these patients are referred for pulmonary function testing (PFT), the diagnostic gold standard for COPD. However, there is no clinical consensus for pulmonary screening in people with CVD. Current knowledge relating to the prevalence and incidence of CVD in people with COPD and the mechanisms that underlie their coexistence is key in combating the global burden of COPD.
