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Cor pulmonale is failure of the right side of the heart, the side that
pumps blood to the lungs. This problem occurs when the heart has to work
harder to pump blood through damaged lungs, such as when a person's lungs are
damaged because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
People with cor pulmonale are short of breath because of their
damaged lungs. They may have swollen legs and a swollen abdomen because of
fluid retention (edema).
Current as of:
March 12, 2014
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology
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