The Effect of Exercise on Systemic Inflammation in Veterans With COPD and OSA

The overlap syndrome (OS), i.e. the association of both Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in a single Veteran, is prevalent and associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity. Home-based exercise interventions that translate to a lifestyle with increased physical activity (PA) are an ideal strategy as 150 minutes of leisure time PA a week is associated with a significant reduction in risk of CVD related events and death. This novel research study will help develop a home exercise intervention that is largely accepted by OS Veterans, as a first step toward implementing PA into the routine medical care of the large Veteran population with COPD and OSA. This data will be used for larger studies on CVD risk and its modification with exercise in OS, a research area that is urgently needed given its high impact on Veterans' morbidity, mortality and health-care associated costs.