Cor pulmonale is a condition where the right ventricle of your heart enlarges due to a lung problem. This enlargement occurs because the right ventricle has to work harder to pump blood against increased pressure in the pulmonary artery. Over time, this extra strain can cause the right ventricle to fail.
Understanding Cor Pulmonale
Here's a breakdown:
- Heart's Right Ventricle: This is the chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
- Pulmonary Artery: This blood vessel carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
- Lung Condition: Problems with the lungs can cause high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. This is known as pulmonary hypertension.
How it Develops
The development of cor pulmonale involves the following:
- Underlying Lung Issue: A lung condition like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary embolism leads to reduced blood flow through the lungs.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: This reduced blood flow causes increased pressure in the pulmonary artery.
- Right Ventricle Strain: The right ventricle has to pump harder to overcome this increased pressure.
- Enlargement: Over time, the right ventricle enlarges due to the strain. This enlargement is cor pulmonale.
- Right Heart Failure: If left untreated, the right ventricle may eventually fail, leading to serious health complications.
Key Takeaways
- Cor pulmonale is always a secondary condition. It's always caused by a pre-existing lung disease.
- The main issue is that the right heart works harder to pump against high pressure in the pulmonary arteries because of the lung condition.
- It can lead to right ventricular failure if not managed correctly.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Definition | Enlargement of the right ventricle due to a lung condition |
| Cause | Increased pressure in the pulmonary artery, often caused by lung conditions like COPD, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary embolism. |
| Mechanism | Right ventricle works harder to pump blood, leading to enlargement and potential failure |
| Complication | Right heart failure if left untreated |
In summary, cor pulmonale is an enlarged right ventricle due to a lung condition that causes high pressure in the pulmonary artery, eventually leading to right heart failure.
