Pulmonary heart disease, or cor pulmonale, is a condition where the right side of the heart fails, caused by long-term high pressure in the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. In a normal heart, the right side pumps blood under lower pressure, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Treatment is one aspect of living with pulmonary heart disease, which can lead to greater stamina and a longer life. In addition, healthy lifestyle choices can help pulmonary heart disease patients improve their quality of life.
Treatment
The NIH recommends multiple treatment options for pulmonary heart disease patients. Supplementary oxygen will increase the level of oxygen present in the blood, thus reducing the pressure on the right side of the heart. Medication may be used, and patients have many choices. For example, patients can use anticoagulants or oral medications like bosentan or sildenafil. Another medication, prostacyclin, can be taken through inhalation or injection. If the pulmonary heart disease is diagnosed early, the doctor prescribes calcium channel blockers. Surgery is done on pulmonary heart disease patients to reverse serious heart defects. If the pulmonary heart disease is advanced, a heart and lung transplant may be done.
Lifestyle Choices
Making healthy lifestyle choices can improve the pulmonary heart disease patient's quality of life. One hazardous habit that should be avoided is smoking cigarettes. According to the NIH, cigarette smoke can lead to chronic lung disease, which exacerbates pulmonary heart disease. The Mayo Clinic adds that smoking can cause additional problems with pulmonary heart disease: the carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen in the patient's blood, resulting in higher blood pressure. In addition to quitting smoking, pulmonary heart disease patients should also exercise daily. Exercise helps the patient maintain a healthy weight, lower cholesterol and healthy blood pressure.
Healthy Diet
Eating well is key to living with pulmonary heart disease---the Mayo Clinic puts a strong emphasis on a diet with whole grains, fruits and vegetables. In addition, patients should reduce the amount of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium they consume. A well-rounded diet reduces the symptoms of pulmonary heart disease and aids the maintenance of a healthy weight.
