Pulmonary heart disease

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Pulmonary Heart Disease (Cor Pulmonale)[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Pulmonary Heart Disease, also known as Cor Pulmonale, is a medical condition characterized by the enlargement and failure of the right ventricle of the heart. This condition is a response to increased vascular resistance or high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Cor Pulmonale develops as a result of pulmonary hypertension, which puts chronic pressure on the right ventricle, leading to its enlargement and eventually failure. Common causes of pulmonary hypertension include:

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of Cor Pulmonale may include:

  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Fatigue.
  • Swelling of the legs and ankles (peripheral edema).
  • Chest discomfort or pain.
  • Palpitations.
Chest X-ray showing Cor Pulmonale.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of Cor Pulmonale involves:

  • Clinical examination.
  • Imaging studies like chest X-ray and echocardiogram.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart function.
  • Blood tests to measure B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.
  • Pulmonary function tests.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment of Cor Pulmonale focuses on managing the underlying pulmonary condition and may include:

  • Oxygen therapy.
  • Diuretics to reduce fluid overload.
  • Vasodilators for pulmonary hypertension.
  • Bronchodilators and corticosteroids for COPD.
  • Anticoagulants in cases with pulmonary embolism.

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis of Cor Pulmonale varies depending on the severity of pulmonary hypertension and the effectiveness of managing the underlying condition.

Prevention and Management[edit | edit source]

Preventive measures include:

  • Smoking cessation.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Timely management of lung diseases.
  • Vaccination against respiratory infections.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External Links[edit | edit source]

Pulmonary heart disease Resources
Wikipedia
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