Everyone Healthy Library
Cor Pulmonale
Also Known As: Right Sided Heart Failure
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
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Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Linked signs and symptoms
16Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
- Abdominal Swelling
- Ankle Swelling (Ankle Oedema)
- Breath Shortness (Dyspnoea)
- Breathing Difficulty When Lying Flat (Orthopnoea)
- Breathing Rapid Hyperventilation (Tachypnea)
- Cough
- Coughing Up Blood (Haemoptysis, Hemoptysis)
- Fainting (Syncope)
- Fatigue
- Fluid Collection in Abdominal Cavity (Ascites)
- Heart Murmur (Detected by Stethoscope)
- Leg Swollen
- Liver Enlarged Or Tender
- Pain: Chest
- Swelling (Oedema, Edema)
- Wheezing
Linked drugs / medications
0No linked drugs are listed yet.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
6Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
8These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
Biological markers/agents
3This visual map shows biological markers/agents reported as increased or decreased with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
Often increased
2Often decreased
1Introduction / full article
Cor Pulmonale
Cor pulmonale
Cor pulmonale is a medical condition referring to the structural and functional changes of the right side of the heart as a result of a long-standing high blood pressure. If not treated properly, cor pulmonale may lead to complications such as shock, severe fluid retention and shortness of breath, all of which could be fatal. [1] [2]
Causes
Under normal condition, the left side of the heart generates a higher blood pressure than the right side. When there is a high blood pressure in the arteries located in the lungs, it is referred to as pulmonary hypertension. When pulmonary hypertension occurs, the right side of the heart experiences difficulty pumping blood and when this is present for a relatively long time, the result is cor pulmonale.
Long term lung diseases usually lead to cor purmonale. These diseases include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease and long term blood clots in the lungs. [1] In developed countries, the most common cause is COPD with the majority of cases attributed to tobacco smoking. [3]
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms are often subtle during the early course of the disease. At the outset, a person often experiences shortness of breath or light headedness. Most symptoms are nonspecific including fatigue, increased rate of breathing and cough. Over time, the symptoms may worsen. The patient may have increased heart rate even at rest, swelling of the ankles, coughing out of bright red blood, hoarseness, labored breathing, bluish discoloration of the lips and skin and fainting spells. [1] [2] [3]
Diagnosis
After getting the patient’s medical history, a physical examination is often performed. In a patient with cor pulmonale, the physical exam may reveal abnormal heart sounds, fluid buildup in the abdomen and distention of veins in the neck. Laboratory tests that may help in making the diagnosis include chest x-ray, echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests and measurement of blood oxygen by arterial blood gas. [1]
Treatment
The objective is to control the symptoms. Among the drugs that can be prescribed are vasodilators like nifedipine, diuretics like furosemide and anticoagulants. Some patients may need long term oxygen therapy. Smoking cessation, avoidance of strenuous activities and staying away from high altitude places may help. [1] [3]
References:
1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000129.htm
2. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/154062-overview
3. http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/cor-pulmonale