What is a major risk factor that leads to cor pulmonale?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant risk factor for developing cor pulmonale due to its direct impact on the lungs and consequently on the heart. In COPD, the airways become obstructed, which can lead to prolonged hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the blood) and increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This chronic increase in pressure forces the right side of the heart to work harder to pump blood into the lungs, leading to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventually heart failure known as cor pulmonale.

The connection between COPD and cor pulmonale is well-documented in medical literature and highlights how chronic lung disease can lead to serious cardiovascular complications. Understanding this relationship is crucial for managing patients with COPD and preventing associated complications like cor pulmonale.

Other conditions mentioned, such as severe hypertension, diabetes, and heart valve disease, while significant cardiovascular concerns, do not have the same direct pathophysiological connection to the lungs and elevated pulmonary artery pressures as COPD does. This specificity is what makes COPD a primary concern regarding the development of cor pulmonale.