COPD

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Complications

Cor Pulmonale

Lower extremity edema (swelling) in a patient with COPD is usually a sign of cor pulmonale (pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure). COPD makes the heart work harder, especially the right side, which pumps blood into the lungs. Because of poor gas exchange in COPD, there are decreased amounts of oxygen in the blood causing blood vessels to constrict. Many of the capillaries surrounding the alveoli are destroyed in the disease process making the hea...Read the full article