Cor pulmonale is an enlarged right ventricle in your heart that happens because of a lung condition. Pushing against high pressure in your pulmonary artery can cause your right ventricle to fail. Treatment addresses the lung condition that caused cor pulmonale. Most cases are chronic, or long-term.
The definition of cor pulmonale (pulmonary heart) is when a lung issue causes your right ventricle (heart chamber) to get so big that your heart starts to fail. It’s a type of right-sided heart failure.
Normally, your right ventricle sends blood to your pulmonary artery to get oxygen from your lungs. But certain lung conditions cause high blood pressure in your pulmonary artery. That makes it harder for your right ventricle to get blood to your lungs.
Your right ventricle has to push against higher pressure in your pulmonary artery, where blood pressure is normally low. It’s like opening a car door when it’s windy outside. You have to push against the wind.
When your right ventricle has to keep working harder than normal, it gets larger and doesn’t work well.
Types of cor pulmonale include:
Cor pulmonale makes up an estimated 6% to 7% of heart disease cases in the United States.
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Cor pulmonale symptoms include:
At first, you may not have cor pulmonale symptoms. They happen when you’ve had cor pulmonale for a while. Symptoms of cor pulmonale occur in addition to the symptoms of the lung condition that caused it.
Cor pulmonale causes include lung conditions that cause pulmonary hypertension, such as:
Risk factors for cor pulmonale include:
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Complications of cor pulmonale may include:
A healthcare provider may hear abnormal sounds when they listen to your heart with a stethoscope. They’ll order tests to diagnose cor pulmonale.
Tests to diagnose cor pulmonale may include:
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Cor pulmonale treatment focuses on improving the lung issue that caused it.
The goal is to:
Quick treatment is important to prevent permanent damage to your heart.
Cor pulmonale treatments include:
Complications or side effects of treatments may include:
Treatment | Side effect or complication |
---|---|
Oxygen therapy | Headaches; Fatigue; Nosebleeds. |
Medicines | Upset stomach; Weight gain; Mood changes; Headache; Bleeding. |
Cardiac rehab | Injury; Abnormal heart rhythm. |
Embolectomy | Bleeding; Injury; Infection. |
Lung transplant | Bleeding; Infection; Organ rejection. |
Treatment | |
Oxygen therapy | |
Side effect or complication | |
Headaches; Fatigue; Nosebleeds. | |
Medicines | |
Side effect or complication | |
Upset stomach; Weight gain; Mood changes; Headache; Bleeding. | |
Cardiac rehab | |
Side effect or complication | |
Injury; Abnormal heart rhythm. | |
Embolectomy | |
Side effect or complication | |
Bleeding; Injury; Infection. | |
Lung transplant | |
Side effect or complication | |
Bleeding; Infection; Organ rejection. |
You can prevent cor pulmonale by not getting the lung conditions that cause it. You can lower your risk of cor pulmonale by:
Most people with cor pulmonale have a poor quality of life. Even with treatment, symptoms often come back.
Cor pulmonale is usually a long-term condition. However, cor pulmonale from a mechanical ventilation injury or pulmonary embolism is a short-term condition.
The condition that causes cor pulmonale determines the outlook for people who have it. Without management of the lung condition that caused it, the outlook is poor. For instance, only 30% of people who get cor pulmonale from COPD live another five years.
You can take care of yourself in these ways:
Your healthcare provider may limit how much salt and fluid you eat and drink.
If you spent time in the hospital for cor pulmonale, you’ll need to follow up with a cardiologist and a pulmonologist (heart and lung specialists). They may want to see you in a week or two.
Questions to ask your healthcare provider may include:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Cor pulmonale is an enlarged right ventricle in your heart that happens because of a lung condition. Having a medical condition that makes it hard to do everyday tasks can be frustrating. Ask family and friends for help if you need it. Your healthcare provider can explain your treatment options and which ones may work best for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if there’s anything you don’t understand about cor pulmonale.
Last reviewed on 04/20/2023.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy