Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control symptoms. It is important to treat medical disorders that cause pulmonary hypertension, which can lead to cor pulmonale.

Many new treatment options are becoming available. Medicines that may be prescribed include:

• Ambrisentan (Letairis)
• Bosentan (Tracleer)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics
• Prostacyclin or similar medications
• Sildenafil

Your doctor will decide which medicine is best for you. You will be closely monitored during treatment to watch for side effects and to see how well the medicine works for you. Never stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor.

Other treatments may include:

• Blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots
• Oxygen, in some cases
• A lung or heart-lung transplant, if medication does not work

As the illness gets worse, you will need to make changes in the home environment and get more help around the home.

Other important tips to follow:

• Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting
• Avoid traveling to high altitudes
• Get yearly flu and pneumonia vaccines
• Stop smoking
• Talk to your doctor before becoming pregnant

Expectations (prognosis):

How well you do depends on what caused the condition.

Complications:

Cor pulmonale may lead to:

• Life-threatening shortness of breath
• Severe fluid retention
• Shock
• Death

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain.