Final answer:
Cor pulmonale is right heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension, often due to chronic pulmonary conditions like COPD, interstitial lung diseases, and pulmonary embolism. Systemic conditions such as sleep apnea, connective tissue disorders, and congenital heart defects can also lead to pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Additionally, left-sided heart failure can contribute over time by increasing back pressure into the lungs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common causes of cor pulmonale, which is right heart failure stemming from pulmonary hypertension (pulm HTN), are conditions that lead to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This pressure can back up into the right side of the heart and lead to failure. The underlying issues often include chronic pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung diseases, and pulmonary embolism. These conditions can result in increased resistance in the pulmonary arteries, making it more difficult for the right ventricle to pump blood through the lungs, eventually causing it to fail or become cor pulmonale.
In addition, systemic conditions like sleep apnea, connective tissue disorders, and congenital heart defects can also contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension and subsequent cor pulmonale. Moreover, left-sided heart failure can lead to back pressure into the lungs, causing pulmonary edema and potentially contributing to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure over time.