The investigators will place a monitoring patch that continuously records electrocardiogram and activity. Participants will switch this patch every 7 days for a total of 28 days. From these data the investigators will observe how heart rate variability and heart rate responses to exercise evolve after hospitalization for an exacerbation of COPD.
Age
40–any
Sex
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
You may be eligible if
1. Signed informed consent
2. At least moderate COPD by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease spirometry criteria (FEV1/FVC \< 0.7 and FEV1 \< 80% predicted)
3. 10 pack year smoking history
4. Hospitalized with one or more of:
1. increased dyspnea
2. increased sputum
3. change in sputum character
5. Treated with corticosteroids and/or antibiotics for respiratory indications
