ABSTRACT
The primary effects of COPD are in the lungs, and while breathlessness is a
key link between lung pathophysiology and impaired health and well-being, there are others. It is now recognized that COPD is a multisystem disease
and, in common with other chronic diseases, it has secondary effects on
other organs and systems. These include the skeletal muscle, in which wast-
ing can occur through disuse atrophy and cachexia. Cardiovascular distur-
bances include pulmonary hypertension and there may be effects on
myocardial function and skeletal muscle circulation due to lack of physical
exercise.
