Partnering in the Fight Against COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. More than 16 million Americans have been diagnosed with this debilitating lung disease, and it’s estimated that millions more have it and don’t know. Watch NHLBI Breathe Better Network partners — including the COPD Foundation, the Dorney-Koppel Foundation, and the American Lung Association — discuss the importance of partnerships in helping people understand and recognize COPD earlier, so they can get the treatment they need.

COPD National Action Plan: Goals for Health Care Professionals

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term lung disease, is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. The COPD National Action Plan was created to address the disease by uniting key stakeholders in the fight against it. Watch this video to learn which goals of the action plan apply to COPD health professionals. This video is by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

How Can We Help People Recognize Signs of COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in quality of life for people who have COPD. How many people have COPD? How can we help people recognize the signs sooner? Watch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Breathe Better Network partners — including Dorney-Koppel Foundation and Atrium Health — share their stories.

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that includes two main conditions — chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms include a chronic cough, shortness of breath, lots of mucus, and chest tightness. There is no cure. But with a diagnosis and treatment, people can feel better, stay active, and slow the progression of the disease. Share this video with others to spread the word!

A Message to People Living with COPD and Their Caregivers

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. The good news is that there are treatment options for COPD. Watch Dr. Jim Kiley, and representatives from Breathe Better Network partners Respiratory Health Association, COPD Foundation, and Dorney-Koppel Foundation share their messages of support for people living with COPD, their caregivers, and other COPD advocates.

How Does a COPD Diagnosis Affect the Person’s Loved Ones?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Joel Africk discusses what a COPD diagnosis means for the person’s family, including the importance of self-care by caregivers and empowerment by relatives. This video is by Learn More, Breathe Better — a program sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

COPD National Action Plan: Goals for Researchers

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term lung disease, is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. The COPD National Action Plan was created to address the disease by uniting key stakeholders in the fight against it. Watch this video to learn which goals of the action plan apply to COPD researchers. This video is by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Recognize the early symptoms of COPD: Learn More Breathe Better

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Common symptoms that people often mistake as normal signs of aging include wheezing, shortness of breath, ongoing coughing, chest tightness, or a combination of all. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, talk with a health care provider about getting a breathing test. Share this animation with others to spread the word. Learn more, breathe better at, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/breathebetter(link is external)

Taking a Spirometry Test

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disease. Watch this video to see Antonello Punturieri, MD, demonstrate how to take a simple lung test that doctors use to diagnose COPD. This video is by Learn More, Breathe Better — a program sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our goal is to bring greater visibility to lung health by translating research for public and professional education programs. Dr. Punturieri is a program officer in NHLBI’s Division of Lung Diseases.

Breathing Better with a COPD Diagnosis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. What’s it like to live with COPD? Why is talking to your doctor about your diagnosis so important? Watch National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Breathe Better Network partners — including the American Lung Association, Respiratory Health Association, and Atrium Health — share their stories.

The Impact of the COPD National Action Plan

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a leading cause of death in the United States. The COPD National Action Plan was created to address the disease by uniting key stakeholders in the fight against it. Watch Dr. Jim Kiley and representatives from Breathe Better Network partners Atrium Health, Respiratory Health Association, and the American Lung Association discuss the impact and importance of the COPD National Action Plan on their work.

The Future of COPD Research and Treatment

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Watch Dr. Jim Kiley discuss NHLBI’s work to advance the future of COPD research and treatment. This video is by Learn More, Breathe Better — a program sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our goal is to bring greater visibility to lung health by translating research for public and professional education programs. Dr.

The Importance of Research for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Treatment

Nearly 1 in 3 American adults have high blood pressure. High blood pressure may lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, or artery disease. Watch David Goff, MD, PhD, and George A. Mensah, MD, FACC, discuss the importance of research for prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. This video is by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Goff is the Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, and Dr. Mensah is the Director of the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science at NHLBI.

Improving Quality of Life Through Sickle Cell Research: Marsha J. Treadwell, Ph.D.

Watch this video to see Marsha J. Treadwell, PhD, discuss how pain management research funded by NHLBI helps improve quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease. This video is by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Treadwell is Director of the Northern California Network of Care for Sickle Cell Disease at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

Investing in a Cure for Sickle Cell Disease: Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, M.D.

Watch this video to see Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, MD, discuss how NHLBI brings researchers together with the shared goal of improving quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease. This video is by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Krishnamurti is Director of the Pediatric BMT Program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University.