cor pulmonale

Cor pulmonale is a condition where the right side of the heart becomes enlarged and weakened due to high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries. This elevated pressure often results from lung problems like COPD or pulmonary fibrosis. Because the right heart has to work harder to pump blood through these narrowed or stiff lung vessels, it can eventually struggle to keep up, leading to swelling, fatigue, and other symptoms. Essentially, cor pulmonale reflects the heart's response to long-term lung disease, affecting its ability to pump blood effectively through the lungs.