connection between COPD and CHF
- 0Jan 31, '10 by totally_nutsHello
I am having trouble locating information on the connection between congestive heart failure and COPD.
I know they cause similar symptoms and both cause a lack of oxygen but that is it.
Could someone please point me in the right direction?
- 10,628 Visits
- 2Jan 31, '10 by ♪♫ in my ♥Well, they're fundamentally different pathologies.
Begin with trading the acronyms for the terms:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease vs Congestive Heart Failure
The first thing you notice is that one is a pulmonary (lung) problem while the other is a pump problem. You also notice that COPD is an obstructive problem (impeded flow) while CHF is a congestive problem (fluid backing up). COPD deals with air (not enough getting into the alveoli), CHF deals with blood (leaking into the alveoli).
- 0Jan 31, '10 by itsmejuli GuideThe connection is that COPD can eventually lead to CHF. Remember that higher pulmonary pressure can lead to right sided heart failure.