A new research published at the New England Journal of Medicine Chronic disclosed that obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common lung problem, brings down the heart's function considerably, even when the trouble shows no or less symptoms.

This is the first time such a string connection has been founded between COPD and cardiopathy, even when COPD is in its mildest form.

Graham Barr, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at Columbia University Medical Center said, "We found that there appears to be a linear relationship between lung function and heart function and even a small hit to the lungs negatively affects heart function as well."

COPD, developing mainly because of smoking, is significantly responsible for emphysema, narrowing of breathing passage, constant cough and mucus production

The researchers carried out various tests on healthy persons aged between 45 to 84. The individuals belonged to the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

The group figured heart and lung structure and function by making use of breathing examinations and chest imaging tests.

The study participants showed mild irregularities in heart and lung functions in MRI and computed tomography (CT) scans.

There was a connection between heart and lung functions in 13% tobacco users, 38% ex-smokers and 49% non-smokers out of all the study participants.

"We demonstrated that even mild COPD is associated with sub-clinical reductions in heart function, probably since not enough blood is entering the heart due to vascular [pertaining to blood vessels] problems in the lungs," said Barr.

"Our next step is to directly measure vasculature damage in the lungs and then determine whether cardiac [pertaining to the heart.] therapies may help lung disease and vice versa," Barr added.