Cardiovascular Assessment and Treatment During COPD Exacerbation to Improve Diagnosis and Outcomes

This is a research study involving patients hospitalized for COPD flare-ups. Patients will be assigned using a non-randomized, sequential allocation strategy (a control cohort followed by an intervention cohort) to two groups: one group will only see a pulmonologist (lung doctor), and the other group will also be seen by a cardiologist (heart doctor) during their hospital stay. Both groups will fill out a questionnaire, and the pulmonologist will review their lung disease, adjust their treatment, and recommend follow-up care. The cardiologist will also assess the second group for heart diseases (like high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart failure) and start or adjust heart treatment if needed. Both groups will be followed up by phone 1, 3, 6 and 12 months later to check for changes in treatment, new heart problems, COPD flare-ups, or death.