Cor pulmonale involves enlargement of which heart chamber?

Prepare for the NREMT Advanced-EMT Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ready yourself for success on your exam!

Multiple Choice

Cor pulmonale involves enlargement of which heart chamber?

Explanation:
Cor pulmonale is the enlargement of the right ventricle. This happens because chronic lung disease can raise the pressure in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary hypertension). The right ventricle, which pumps blood into the lungs, has to work harder against this higher afterload. Over time, that extra workload causes the chamber to thicken (hypertrophy) and enlarge. The left-sided chambers aren’t the primary sites of enlargement in this condition; they are affected by different heart or vascular diseases.

Cor pulmonale is the enlargement of the right ventricle. This happens because chronic lung disease can raise the pressure in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary hypertension). The right ventricle, which pumps blood into the lungs, has to work harder against this higher afterload. Over time, that extra workload causes the chamber to thicken (hypertrophy) and enlarge. The left-sided chambers aren’t the primary sites of enlargement in this condition; they are affected by different heart or vascular diseases.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy