Cardiovascular implications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A way forward together?

Cardiovascular disease has an increased prevalence among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Cardiovascular disease and IPF share similar symptoms with overlapping demographics and risk factors for disease development. Common cellular mediators leading to disease development and progression have been identified in both the cardiovascular and pulmonary organ systems. In this context, discovery of new therapeutic targets and medical therapies could be mutually beneficial across cardiopulmonary diseases. Here we present (1) a clinical review of IPF for the cardiovascular clinician and (2) common cellular mechanisms responsible for fibrosis in the heart and lungs and (3) highlight future research considerations and the potential role of novel therapeutic agents which may be mutually beneficial in cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis.