The Connection Between Heart Disease and Fluid in the Lungs: Insights from Pulmonologists

Can heart disease lead to severe pulmonary disease? The answer is yes. Heart disease can cause pulmonary edema, which is a life-threatening condition that builds up excess fluid in the lungs due to pressure in the heart. This prevents the bloodstream from getting oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the body. Noticing the symptoms timely and getting emergency care can save your life. Learn how heart disease is connected with pulmonary edema and ways to prevent it in this article. Contact the best pulmonologist in Brooklyn by visiting Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center.

 

 

The connection between heart disease and fluid in the lungs

When your lungs are filled with fluid it is called pulmonary edema. While there are many causes, mostly it is caused by heart problems. This type of pulmonary edema causes heart problems called cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

It is caused when a heart disease or overwork makes the left lower heart chamber (left ventricle) unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, which creates a pressure build-up in other parts of the circulatory system forcing fluid from blood vessel walls into the air sacs of the lungs and other parts of the body. Congestive heart failure is the most common cause of this condition.

 

Some common medical conditions that cause heart failure which can lead to pulmonary edema include:

  • Coronary artery disease: This occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle get narrowed down due to plaque buildup. Over time it can narrow down the arteries and weaken the left ventricle. Sometimes a blood clot forms in one of these narrowed arteries. The clot blocks blood flow and damages the heart muscle which can result in a heart attack. A damaged heart can’t pump blood as it should.
  • Cardiomyopathy: It means heart muscle damage, which happens when the heart is not able to work harder when needed, such as during exercise, with an infection, or a rise in blood pressure. When the left ventricle is not able to keep up with the demands of the body, fluid starts to fill up in the lungs.
  • Heart valve problems: When aortic or mitral heart valves get narrowed or a valve leaks or doesn’t close properly, which affects the blood flow into the heart. This sudden valve leak may cause sudden and severe pulmonary edema.
  • High blood pressure: Untreated or uncontrolled blood pressure can enlarge your heart and put pressure directly on the lungs.
  • Severe arrhythmia: It can happen due to tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and bradycardia (slow heartbeat), both can affect your heart function severely.
  • Severe heart attack: This can occur when heart muscle gets damaged, which makes pumping difficult and builds up fluid in the lungs.
  • Pericardial effusion with tamponade: It happens when the heart is not able to pump properly, which creates fluid buildup around the sacs that cover the heart.
  • Other heart problems: Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and heart problems from birth (congenital heart defects) may lead to pulmonary edema.
  • Kidney disease: High blood pressure can happen due to narrowed kidney arteries (renal artery stenosis) or fluid buildup can occur due to kidney disease or failure which leads to pulmonary edema.
  • Chronic health conditions: Thyroid disease or an iron buildup (hemochromatosis) or protein (amyloidosis) may lead to heart failure and further cause pulmonary edema.

 

Symptoms

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty breathing when exerting yourself or lying down.
  • Shortness of breath when you wake up from sleep.
  • Swelling in your legs.
  • Weight increase of more than 2 pounds a day.

If you experience some of these symptoms with chest pain, you should seek medical help.

 

Prevention

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema happens when you have a heart problem, so the best way to prevent it is to keep your heart healthy. You can follow these tips to keep your heart healthy, including:

  • Eating foods that are low in saturated and trans fats, sugar, and salt. Add plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet.
  • Exercise regularly, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity.
  • Avoid smoking and tobacco products.
  • Limit your alcohol intake, and drink in moderation.

 

Living with

When you are living with cardiac edema, you should weigh yourself every day at the same time to check whether your edema is getting worse or not. You should check your weight before breakfast and after you pee. If you gain more than 2 pounds a day, that means your body is retaining fluid and you need to meet your healthcare team. You need to work with the healthcare team and stay in touch with them to get the necessary medical care you need to keep yourself healthy and safe.

 

Heart disease can increase the risk of pulmonary edema, a life-threatening disease that occurs when fluid is filled in the lungs and causes the bloodstream to not get enough oxygen and not be able to remove carbon dioxide properly. With timely treatment, a person’s life can be saved. That’s why if you have a heart problem, you should try to keep your heart healthy and go to every follow-up checkup with your provider to manage cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Follow your treatment properly to prevent heart problems from getting worse and to prevent cardiac edema.

 

Need help with pulmonary edema, visit our pulmonary specialists in Brooklyn clinic to get professional medical help. Call us to get emergency medical service and book your appointment now!!!

At Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center, we offer the best possible expertise and care in all aspects of pulmonology. Visit our pulmonologists to have your signs and symptoms checked. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://pulmonologistbrooklyn.com.