Emphysema puts you at higher risk of pneumonia and acute bronchitis. Patients with emphysema are at risk for worsening their condition as a result of lower airway infections. Prevention of such infections, or treating them quickly if they occur, are crucial steps in the management of emphysema. A complication is malnutrition due to the extra energy used in breathing. Untreated emphysema ultimately results in heart failure and may cause death.
Attribution: Avallain