Connection between COPD and CHF

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Specializes in mental health, aged care/disability care.

Hello

I am having trouble locating information on the connection between congestive heart failure and COPD.

I know they cause similar symptoms and both cause a lack of oxygen but that is it.

Could someone please point me in the right direction?

TIA

Chris

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Well, they're fundamentally different pathologies.

Begin with trading the acronyms for the terms:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease vs Congestive Heart Failure

The first thing you notice is that one is a pulmonary (lung) problem while the other is a pump problem. You also notice that COPD is an obstructive problem (impeded flow) while CHF is a congestive problem (fluid backing up). COPD deals with air (not enough getting into the alveoli), CHF deals with blood (leaking into the alveoli).

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Thanks!! good question and good answer! I love when I learn something new!!

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Specializes in Home Care.

The connection is that COPD can eventually lead to CHF. Remember that higher pulmonary pressure can lead to right sided heart failure.

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Specializes in I wa'na be a nursing psychiatrist.

Yeah! I agree... there is really a connection between the pathophysiology of CHF and COPD...

Try to review the CHF first then connect it with the COPD...

My Pathophysiology teacher taught me about that.. it's kinda' simple but hard to explain.. :D

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Specializes in mental health, aged care/disability care.

Thank you, have got it now.

I just needed that push in the right direction :D

Cheers

Chris

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