Monday, May 14, 2012

Correlation between Cough and Heart Disease

Not a few of you who may have asked if there is a correlation between cough and heart disease? At first glance, it seems that these two conditions are totally different because cough associated with respiratory organs such as the throat and lungs, while the heart disease is because there is heart disorder.


But in fact, the heart and lungs are the organs that are interrelated. It is also similar between cough and heart disease. As described in Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, cough is sign of heart disease. Below is a quick explanation of the correlation between cough and heart disease.

Coughing basically is instinctive reflex action or mechanism of the body to expel a foreign object that can irritate the respiratory tract. In fact, the production of mucus (when coughing) is a protection mechanism that is used for the same purpose. However, harsh cough and persistent (chronic) can be caused by certain diseases and should be taken seriously.
Chronic cough is generally to be an indication of respiratory tract infections. But it may also linked to heart disease.



Generally, cough suffered by those who suffering respiratory tract disorder. Before lungs can perform the exchange function of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the air we breathe, it must first pass through the components of respiratory system such as nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, throat, and bronchial tubes.

Respiratory organs can become inflamed if we breathe in irritants such as dust, chemicals, smoke, or disease-causing microbes. These conditions encourage the immune system to expel the mucus irritation. Working system of human body organs work collectively. Similarly, the respiratory system and circulatory system, where the heart is the main organ that control them.

The heart is the organ that supplies deoxygenated blood to the lungs, which then brought by blood vessels throughout the body. If the heart's pumping ability is disturbed or attacked by the disease, this would lead to pulmonary congestion. Fluid in the lungs and the heart can cause symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or wheezing.

Cough and heart failure

To understand the correlation between cough and heart disease, you must first understand how the heart works. Human heart is divided into four chambers (right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium and left ventricle).

Weakening of the myocardium or heart muscle due to coronary artery disease is one of the most common cause of congestive heart failure. Coronary heart disease is characterized by lack of blood flow to the heart due to the buildup of arterial plaque. This will causes the weaken heart muscle that will increase the risk of congestive heart failure because of heart muscle thickening.

Coronary artery disease also increases the risk of heart attack. Heart attack is a life-threatening condition, where the blockage if coronary arteries will cause damage to part of the heart muscle. Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain and edema are symptoms of congestive heart failure.

Heart failure can occur on one side of the heart, such as congestive heart failure at the left side or right side of the heart. If heart failure occurs in left ventricle of the heart, the blood will clump together and accumulate in the lungs (congestion). This congestion is likely to cause shortness of breath and coughing. As a result, the air bag as a place to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide can be filled with fluid, thereby disrupting the function of the lungs.
Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath are common symptoms of pulmonary edema (pulmonary edema). Pulmonary edema is an abnormal fluid buildup in air sacs of the lungs causing shortness of breath.

While bouts of coughing may be associated with respiratory infections, allergies, asthma or lung problems. In some cases, congestive heart failure is responsible for causing chronic cough. Those who experience symptoms such as cough and heart disease should get medical examination to establish the diagnosis.

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