Among individuals with COPD and hs-cTnI > 5 ng/L alone and those with both hs-cTnI > 5 ng/L and ischemic ECG abnormalities, the risk for death was increased after adjustment for potential confounders (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.46–5.07; HR 4.54, 95% CI 2.25–9.13 respectively) when compared to those with no cardiac biomarkers (Fig. 3a). This evidence concerns the gene TNNI3 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.