What is the disorder characterized by poor ventilation of the lungs and stress on the heart primarily due to air pollutants?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by long-term respiratory issues that obstruct airflow in the lungs. This condition often arises from exposure to harmful substances, including air pollutants, which lead to a progressive decline in lung function. In COPD, the lungs become inflamed and damaged over time, making it difficult for individuals to breathe properly. This poor ventilation can place additional stress on the heart, leading to complications such as heart failure due to the body's increased effort to acquire sufficient oxygen.

Air pollutants are a significant contributing factor to the development of COPD, with common sources including tobacco smoke, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust. The chronic inflammation caused by these pollutants results not only in airflow obstruction but also in a cycle of respiratory distress that can impact the heart due to increased cardiac workload.

In the context of the other options, while asthma also involves breathing difficulties and can be triggered by pollutants, it is characterized more by reversible airway obstruction rather than the progressive changes seen in COPD. Pneumonia is an acute infection in the lungs that leads to inflammation and fluid-filled alveoli, not primarily connected to long-term exposure to air pollutants. Bronchiectasis involves the abnormal widening of the bronchial tubes often due to repeated infections, which is distinct from