Cor pulmonale is primarily caused by which condition?

Cor pulmonale is a condition that arises primarily due to lung disease. Specifically, it refers to the enlargement and eventual failure of the right side of the heart as a response to high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which is often the result of chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, or interstitial lung disease.

When the lungs are compromised, they lead to inadequate oxygenation and increased resistance within the pulmonary vasculature. This causes the right ventricle to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed vessels, resulting in right ventricular hypertrophy and eventually heart failure. Understanding the pathophysiology behind cor pulmonale clarifies how it is directly linked to lung-related issues, making lung disease the primary cause of this condition.