Cor Pulmonale(Co-pulmonale)

Today, I read about a very interesting medical condition called Cor Pulmonale(Co-pulmonale).

This is when the right side of the heart becomes enlarged, weak and then fails to perform its task of pumping blood to the lungs to be oxygenated.

It is a disease of the heart but caused by ailing lungs or an underlying chronic lung disease.

Note that, the heart is not the original problem, the lungs are.

When the lungs are inflamed, stiff, scarred, or poorly oxygenated, pressure builds up in the lung blood vessels.

Over time, the right side of the heart is forced to work harder, and eventually it starts to fail.

The biggest drivers of cor pulmonale are chronic lung diseases.

Smoking is the number one culprit because it damages airways and lung tissue, leading to COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema).

Long-standing hours with limited movement.

Chronic asthma also increases pressure in the lungs.

Obesity restricts proper breathing mechanics and promotes chronic inflammation.

Sleep apnoea repeatedly drops oxygen levels at night, forcing the heart to pump against high pressure without rest.

Modern lifestyle factors are quietly adding fuel to the fire. As you eat inflammatory foods, sedentarism, sit in that office for a whole day eating and snacking and limited movement, as you enjoy your cigarette and alcohol, as you avoid the sun and apply sunscreen, as you take motorbikes or drive even distances you can walk, as you continuously abuse pain killers like nsaids, you might be creating a battle that will drain you physically and financially.

To the women, that birth control pill, injection or implant that is enriched with synthetic hormones is part of the causes.

Hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of blood clots, which can lodge in the lungs and raise pulmonary pressure.

Recurrent lung infections, air pollution, and prolonged inactivity further worsen lung circulation. Over time, the lungs become a bottleneck, and the heart pays the price.

If you have struggled with a lung disease for long, don’t ignore signs of; shortness of breath, easy fatigue, swelling of the legs, chest tightness, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Cor pulmonale is not a heart disease in isolation, it is the end result of years of lung abuse.

If you don’t protect your lungs, your heart will eventually carry the burden.

Keep fasting, lose that weight, enjoy the sun, enjoy your sleep, keep walking, drop those inflammatory foods, alcohol and cigarettes should not be a conversation at this time, reconnect with nature and hydrate adequately.

Most of these things are free, but there’s always another option for ignorance.