What is cor pulmonale?
A person with cor pulmonale has weakness of the right ventricle of the heart. The weakness is caused by high blood pressure in the vessels that deliver blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. Chronic cor pulmonale results in right-sided congestive heart failure. Common causes of cor pulmonale include bronchiectasis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, and primary pulmonary hypertension.

What are the symptoms of cor pulmonale?
Symptoms of cor pulmonale include abdominal swelling, chest pain, cough, fatigue, leg swelling, wheezing, and shortness of breath with exertion.

How does the doctor treat cor pulmonale?
The treatment of cor pulmonale depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the cor pulmonale. Treatment for cor pulmonale includes low salt diet, fluid restriction, exercise, diuretic medications, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors. Some may benefit from surgery, angioplasty, or pacemaker placement.