What underlying health conditions increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in chronic lung disease?

Chronic lung disease alone puts a person at higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes like hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. This risk increases further when other health problems are present. Data from the United States shows that having specific underlying conditions makes severe disease more likely compared to people without them ⁵.

What the research says

Preliminary U.S. data indicates that people with select underlying health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic lung disease, are at higher risk for severe disease from COVID-19 than those without these conditions ⁵. Smoking is also identified as a known risk factor for respiratory infections that increases the likelihood of severe outcomes ⁵.

Chronic lung disease often involves complications that worsen overall health and increase vulnerability to infection. Pulmonary hypertension, a condition where blood pressure in the lungs is too high, frequently complicates the course of patients with various forms of chronic lung disease ⁶. This complication is associated with reduced functional ability, greater oxygen requirements, and an increased risk of mortality ⁶.

Studies of hospitalized children show that having at least one underlying condition is common and is associated with severe disease outcomes such as intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation ⁷. While this study focused on children, it reinforces the general principle that underlying medical conditions drive severity in respiratory infections ⁷.

What to ask your doctor

• Do I have any underlying conditions like diabetes or heart disease that increase my risk for severe COVID-19?
• How does my current lung function affect my risk if I get infected with SARS-CoV-2?
• Is smoking or past smoking history a factor in my personal risk assessment?
• What steps can I take to manage my chronic lung disease to lower my infection risk?