Pulmonary heart disease

Pulmonary heart disease (pronounced: puhl-MON-uh-ree hahrt dih-ZEEZ), also known as Cor pulmonale (pronounced: kor puhl-MON-uh-lee), is a condition characterized by alteration in the structure and function of the right ventricle of the heart as a result of a respiratory disorder.

Etymology

The term "Pulmonary heart disease" is derived from the Latin word "pulmo" meaning lung, and the Old French word "disease" meaning lack of ease. The term "Cor pulmonale" is also derived from Latin, "cor" meaning heart and "pulmonale" referring to the lungs.

Definition

Pulmonary heart disease is a type of heart disease that occurs when the right ventricle of the heart cannot properly pump blood to the lungs because of increased resistance or high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Symptoms

Symptoms of pulmonary heart disease may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, swelling of the legs and ankles (edema), and fainting (syncope).

Causes

The most common cause of pulmonary heart disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Other causes may include pulmonary embolism, interstitial lung disease, and sleep apnea.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pulmonary heart disease typically involves a physical examination, medical history, and various tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, and echocardiogram.

Treatment

Treatment for pulmonary heart disease focuses on managing the underlying cause and may include medications, oxygen therapy, and in severe cases, surgery.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Pulmonary heart disease
Wikipedia's article - Pulmonary heart disease

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