How is cor pulmonale treated?

Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Cor pulmonale refers to the disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance due to pathological changes in the bronchi, lung tissue, thorax, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial pressure and subsequently causing changes in the structure and function of the right ventricle. When cor pulmonale occurs, treatment is generally divided into the acute exacerbation phase where active control of infections, clearing of the airways, improvement of respiratory function, correction of hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, control of respiratory failure and acute heart failure, and management of complications are emphasized. During the chronic remission phase, the goal is to enhance the patient's immune function, eliminate triggering factors, reduce or avoid the occurrence of acute exacerbations, and partially or fully restore cardiopulmonary function.

Other Voices

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Can people with heart disease drink alcohol?

Patients with heart disease should not consume alcohol, especially those with severe heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, severe arrhythmias, and viral myocarditis. These patients especially should avoid alcohol as they need to use many medications during treatment. If they consume alcohol, the alcohol entering the body can chemically interact with some medications, leading to reduced efficacy, diminished effects, or causing side effects. Additionally, for these heart disease patients, consuming alcohol can increase the burden on the heart and exacerbate symptoms of heart disease.

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Written by Xiao Chang Jiang
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Early symptoms of heart disease

How is heart disease diagnosed? What are its early symptoms? Actually, the concept of heart disease is very broad as it includes many diseases related to the heart. Generally, it refers to problems with the structure or function of the heart, or its inability to perform its pumping function. Its early symptoms can include chest tightness, chest pain, or a crushing feeling after activity, and some may even radiate to the back or the inside of the arms, even involving the shoulders, presenting symptoms like increased heart rate, palpitations, tinnitus, and breathing difficulties. All these are related to heart disease. But how can we determine what kind of heart disease it is? We believe that the first step is to visit a hospital for tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), ambulatory ECGs, exercise stress tests, and other imaging tests including coronary CT and even coronary angiography. Of course, some biochemical tests are also necessary, such as myocardial enzymes, troponins, myoglobins, brain natriuretic peptides, immunological and biological tests, which all help to determine the nature of the heart disease. In summary, we must pay special attention to heart disease, and once these symptoms appear, we should seek medical attention promptly and early.

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Cardiology
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Concept

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of organic heart disease caused by a hypersensitivity reaction in the body due to infection by Streptococcus pyogenes. This leads to pathological changes in the heart valves, including the tricuspid and mitral valves, resulting in stenosis or insufficiency which affects hemodynamics. This condition is known as rheumatic heart disease. Patients with rheumatic heart disease should actively seek treatment under the guidance of a doctor in the early stages to control the occurrence of complications.

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Written by Li Tao
Pulmonology
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Manifestations of Cor Pulmonale

Cor pulmonale refers to a disease characterized by changes in heart structure and function due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance caused by pathological conditions of the bronchi, lungs, thoracic cage, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension. This condition is collectively known as cor pulmonale. The clinical manifestations of cor pulmonale generally develop slowly. Clinically, in addition to pulmonary and pleural symptoms, there gradually appear signs of pulmonary cardiac failure and damage to other organs. Common symptoms include coughing, expectoration, palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, decreased endurance to physical activity. In the decompensated stage, symptoms such as worsening dyspnea, headaches, insomnia, decreased appetite, and even some signs of right heart failure like palpitations, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, nausea, and swelling of the lower limbs may occur.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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How to prevent heart disease

In clinical settings, heart diseases include congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, pneumonic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, etc. Some diseases are preventable, such as the most common coronary heart disease. The occurrence of coronary heart disease is due to long-term lipid metabolism disorders and increased blood lipids, which cause arteriosclerosis and subsequent coronary atherosclerosis, leading to insufficient myocardial blood supply and myocardial damage. Preventing and treating hyperlipidemia and reducing arteriosclerosis can decrease the incidence of coronary heart disease.