ERS | monograph Preface John R. Hurst CVD remains the most common cause of death in the world and people living with respiratory disease are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Only by understanding the science that links both acute and chronic respiratory disease with cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, and by using this knowledge to provide holistic care, can we ever hope to achieve the best outcome for our patients. It is therefore a pleasure to introduce and recommend to you this latest ERS Monograph, which focuses on the cardiovascular implications of respiratory disease, including the cardiovascular effects of drugs that we commonly use in respiratory medicine. One of the privileges of acting as Chief Editor of the Monograph, and serving on the Editorial Board, is selecting topics for future editions. We do this by considering the latest developments in respiratory medicine, reader surveys and analysing the use of previous editions. But this edition was different: the Guest Editors, Miguel Ángel Martínez-García, Jean-Louis Pépin and Mario Cazzola, came to the Editorial Board with a proposal and I congratulate and thank them for having the vision to develop the idea, and the skill and determination to deliver this excellent, state-of-the-art collection of review articles. They have assembled an impressive and authoritative collection of chapters. I would like to take this opportunity to also thank all the contributors. Whether you are a respiratory scientist or clinician, specialist or generalist, there is a topic and information for you here that is interesting and important. Read on! Disclosures: J.R. Hurst reports receiving grants, personal fees and non-financial support from pharmaceutical companies that make medicines to treat respiratory disease. This includes reimbursement for educational activities and advisory work, and support to attend meetings. Copyright ©ERS 2020. Print ISBN: 978-1-84984-118-4. Online ISBN: 978-1-84984-119-1. Print ISSN: 2312-508X. Online ISSN: 2312-5098. https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10005420 vii