Chronic pulmonary heart disease (also referred to as Cor Pulmonale) refers to the enlargement of the right ventricle or pumping chamber of the heart. The disease can have a sudden acute onset or a gradual chronic onset.
The chronic onset of chronic pulmonary heart disease is typically the result of a co-condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a result of cigarette smoking (MDA Internet 2005).
Symptoms and characteristics
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease results in a reduced amount of oxygen entering the blood supply. As a result, the heart has to pump harder and faster in order to meet the oxygen requirements of the body. This in turn leads to the enlargement of the right ventricle that characterises the condition.
Typical symptoms of chronic pulmonary heart disease include (MDA Internet 2005):
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dyspnea or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
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palpitations (irregular, fluttering or skipping heartbeat)
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chest pain
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cyanosis (bluish discolouration of the fingertips)
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swelling in the lower legs and feet
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easy fatigability.
Chronic pulmonary heart disease also often leads to right ventricular failure (Fraser et al 2007).
Statistics
It is estimated that up to 14 per cent of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have associated pulmonary heart disease (Fraser et al 2007).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
Due to the shortness of breath and easy fatigability, people with chronic pulmonary heart disease would benefit in having sedentary to light duties in the workplace, often with reduced hours and opportunities for additional rest breaks
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Fraser V.R, Alexander W, O’Rourke R.A, Roberts R, King S.B, Nash I.S & Prystowsky E.N 2007, Hurst’s The Heart, 11
th Edition, Chapter 8: Cardiopulmonary Disease, The McGraw Hill Companies, Texas.
McPhee S.J, Papadakis M.A & Tierney L.M 2007, Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2007, Cardiology, The McGraw Hill Companies, Texas.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 13 April 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.