What Are The Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Emphysema?

Heart Issues

There is a broad range of heart issues that commonly occur in individuals affected by emphysema as a complication of their disease. Progressive pulmonary vascular disease, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular dysfunction are the most common of these. Because individuals with emphysema cannot intake oxygen as effectively as healthy individuals, the small arteries in the lungs undergo structural changes that cause them to become hard and stiff. These hardened arteries cause the blood to exert an abnormally high amount of pressure against the walls of the pulmonary arteries, otherwise known as pulmonary hypertension. The low blood oxygen levels that occur from the emphysema damage in the lungs cause the patient's heart to work faster and harder. Over time, this increased workload can cause the side of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs or the right ventricle to become enlarged. When it becomes enlarged, the right ventricle can no longer pump blood to the lungs effectively. Most heart issues in emphysema patients are a direct result of the heart attempting to compensate for the shortcomings of the damaged lungs.