The aim of the study of this doctoral dissertation was to compare cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with COPD to control groups of smokers and non-smokers without COPD and to investigate the relation of lung function variables, COPD severity and smoking with SCORE risk calculation, arterial stiffness values and biological systemic inflammatory markers (hs-CRP and fibrinogen). In this cross-sectional study, a total of 208 subjects participated. The results of the study confirm increased elevated CV risk in subjects with COPD compared to control groups. Subjects with COPD had higher SCORE values, higher central aortic pressure, arterial stiffness and inflammatory markers. The association of smoking status to SCORE values and to the levels of hs-CRP and fibrinogen levels was demonstrated in post hoc analysis. Arterial stiffness is significantly increased in the COPD subjects. There was positive correlation of lung function variables with investigated variables of elevated CV risk. There is also association between SCORE variables, arterial stiffness and inflammatory markers. There was no significant difference in CV risk with respect to COPD phenotype. Considering the GOLD assessment of COPD, there is a positive correlation with SCORE values and arterial stiffness. The results of the study support the need for further identification and research of biological markers and specific tests, such as arteriography, which would enable better understanding of the complexity and heterogeneity of COPD, which would lead to progress towards personalized treatment of these patients, better primary or secondary prevention of comorbidities, improved treatment outcomes and ultimately, survival.