Journal of Geriatric Cardiology (2012) 9: 5−10 ©2012 JGC All rights reserved; www.jgc301.com Research Articles • Open Access • Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in subjects hospitalized due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Beijing from 2000 to 2010 Hua Cui1*, Dong-Mei Miao1*, Zhi-Min Wei2, Jian-Fang Cai 3 , Yi Li 4, Ai-Min Liu5, Fan Li6 1Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, 100853 Beijing, China 2Health Division of Guard Bureau, Chinese PLA, 28 Fuxing Road, 100853 Beijing, China 3Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.53, Dongdan North Street, 100005 Beijing, China 4Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital Ministry of Health, No.1, Dongdan Dahua Road, 100730 Beijing, China 5Medical Record Department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.53, Dongdan North Street, 100005 Beijing, China 6Headquarter Office, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, 100853 Beijing, China Abstract Objectives To investigate the overall prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in subjects hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and explore the prevalence of the major CVD complications and trends in patients with COPD over a 10-year period. Methods Medical records in the PLA General Hospital, Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, and Beijing Hospital from 2000/01/01 to 2010/03/03 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 4960 patients with COPD were reviewed in the study (3570 males, mean age, 72.2 ± 10.5 years; 1390 females, mean age, 72.0 ± 10.4 years). Results The prevalence of CVD in COPD patients was 51.7%. The three most prevalent CVDs were ischemic heart disease (28.9%), heart failure (19.6%), and arrhythmia (12.6%). During the 10-year study period, the prevalence of various CVDs in COPD patients showed a gradual increasing trend with increasing age. There was higher morbidity due to ischemic heart disease (P < 0.01) in male COPD patients than in the female counterparts. However, heart failure (P < 0.01) and hypertension (P < 0.01) occurred less frequently in male COPD patients than in female COPD patients. Furthermore, the prevalence of ischemic heart disease decreased year by year. In addition to heart failure, various types of CVD complications in COPD patients tended to occur in younger subjects. The prevalence of all major types of CVD in women tended to increase year by year. Conclusions The prevalence of CVD in patients hospitalized for COPD in Beijing was high. Age, sex and CVD trends, as well as life style changes, should be considered when prevention and control strategies are formulated. J Geriatr Cardiol 2012; 9: 5−10. doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2012.00005 Keywords: Prevalence; Cross-sectional investigation; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cardiovascular disease 1 Introduction Several studies have confirmed that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and COPD is an independent risk factor for CVD.[1–3] However, studies focusing on the prevalence of CVD in patients with COPD are lacking. Our research investigated the overall prevalence of CVD in subjects hospitalized for COPD, and explored the prevalence of the major CVD complications in patients with COPD over a 10-year period. COPD is, without a doubt, a disabling and fatal disease. *The first two authors contributed equally to this paper. Correspondence to: Fan Li, Professor, Headquarter Office, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd., 100853 Beijing, China. E-mail: fl6698@sina.cn Telephone: +86-10-66876329 Fax: +86-10-66876349 Received: December 8, 2011 Revised: February 27, 2012 Accepted: March 5, 2012 Published online: March 28, 2012 http://www.jgc301.com; jgc@jgc301.com | Journal of Geriatric Cardiology It is estimated that the morbidity of COPD is more than 10% in the adult population.[1] and approximately eight billion people worldwide suffer from moderate-to-severe COPD. Additionally, in China about five million people are disabled due to COPD and one million people die of COPD each year. CVD is also a serious threat to personal health, to the extent that it has become a worldwide public-health problem.[2] It has been confirmed that CVD is a major complication of COPD,[3] and COPD is an independent risk factor for CVD.[4] However, the incidence of CVD in patients with COPD is not known thereby affecting people's awareness of the dangers of COPD and prediction of the prognosis. Focusing on hospitals in Beijing, China, we studied the prevalence of CVD in a substantial number of patients hospitalized due to COPD and examined the population distribution over a 10-year period. This was achieved by retrospectively examining the medical records of diagnosed patients.