Cor pulmonale is enlargement and weakening of the right side of the heart. This condition is caused by increased blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension). The right side of the heart transports blood from the body to the lungs.

If you have a lung condition that restricts blood flow through your lungs, blood can back up in your right ventricle. This forces the right ventricle to work harder to pump blood. This can cause the right side of your heart to enlarge. Over time, this enlargement and weakening can lead to right-sided heart failure.

There are two types of cor pulmonale:

Acute cor pulmonale. This can happen suddenly. The most common cause is a blood clot that forms in a vein and travels to the lung (pulmonary embolism).
Chronic cor pulmonale. This can develop over time. The most common cause of chronic cor pulmonale is chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).

Any lung disease that restricts blood flow can lead to cor pulmonale. Identifying and treating the cause of cor pulmonale is very important. Your health care provider will do tests to find the cause of your condition.

Treatment will depend on the cause and may include oxygen as well as medicines.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Use portable oxygen as told by your health care provider.
If you are taking blood thinners:
- Talk with your health care provider before you take any medicines that contain aspirin or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. These medicines increase your risk for dangerous bleeding.
- Take your medicine exactly as told, at the same time every day.
- Avoid activities that could cause injury or bruising. Follow instructions about how to prevent falls.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or carry a card that lists what medicines you take.

Activity

Avoid heavy physical activity, such as lifting and strenuous exercises.
Do pulmonary rehab exercises as told by your health care provider.
Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

General instructions

A person using a scale to measure body weight.

Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
Follow a low-salt diet if your health care provider recommends it.
Weigh yourself daily and write down your weight. This will let you know when you are starting to retain fluid in your body.
Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

You have shortness of breath or develop a cough.
You have fatigue.
You have any bleeding.
You have swelling of your neck veins.
You have swelling of your legs. This may be a sign of fluid buildup in your legs (peripheral edema).
You have a lot of weight gain in a short time.

Get help right away if:

You have difficulty breathing.
You have chest pain.
You cough up blood.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

Cor pulmonale is enlargement and weakening of the right side of your heart. It is caused by increased blood pressure in the lungs, also called pulmonary hypertension.
Cor pulmonale can happen suddenly (acute cor pulmonale) or develop slowly over time (chronic cor pulmonale). The most common cause of acute cor pulmonale is a pulmonary embolism. COPD is the most common cause of chronic cor pulmonale.
Treatment of cor pulmonale depends on the cause. Treatment may include oxygen for breathing support or certain medicines.
Contact a health care provider if you have shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, any bleeding, rapid weight gain, or swelling of your neck veins or legs or both.
Get help right away if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, or if you are coughing up blood.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

Medical knowledge, Patient Education

Cor Pulmonale