Cor pulmonale is most commonly associated with which underlying lung condition?

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Multiple Choice

Cor pulmonale is most commonly associated with which underlying lung condition?

Cor pulmonale is right‑sided heart failure caused by elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries due to a lung disorder. The most common lung condition linked to it is COPD. In COPD, chronic airflow limitation leads to ongoing low oxygen levels. This triggers vasoconstriction of the small pulmonary arteries and, over time, structural changes in the pulmonary vessels that raise pulmonary vascular resistance and pressures. The right ventricle has to pump against this higher pressure, so it thickens (hypertrophy) and can eventually fail, producing cor pulmonale. While systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or liver disease affect other parts of the cardiovascular system, they are not the typical underlying lung disease driving this specific right‑heart failure, making COPD the most common association.

Cor pulmonale is right‑sided heart failure caused by elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries due to a lung disorder. The most common lung condition linked to it is COPD. In COPD, chronic airflow limitation leads to ongoing low oxygen levels. This triggers vasoconstriction of the small pulmonary arteries and, over time, structural changes in the pulmonary vessels that raise pulmonary vascular resistance and pressures. The right ventricle has to pump against this higher pressure, so it thickens (hypertrophy) and can eventually fail, producing cor pulmonale. While systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or liver disease affect other parts of the cardiovascular system, they are not the typical underlying lung disease driving this specific right‑heart failure, making COPD the most common association.

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