Some people have more than one health problem at one time. If you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis the twomain conditions of COPD, you may also have heart disease or cronary artery disease (CAD) as the two conditions often affect each other. People with COPD or heart disease often have trouble breathing during normal tasks or physical activities.
With COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), the lungs and airways are damaged. The damage is most often caused by breathing in irritants over a long period of time. Your airways can become blocked with mucus or collapse. Because of this, air doesn’t flow normally through the airways in your lungs. This can cause shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
Heart disease is any condition that affects how the heart works or the heart rhythm, or cause damage to the heart muscle, structure, valves, or vessels. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It occurs when an artery that brings blood to the heart becomes blocked or narrowed. If the artery is blocked, it can lead to a heart attack. Heart disease also includes other conditions. These include heart valve disease, heart failure, and heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias).
Heart disease can be an ongoing health problem, but treatment will help you feel better. To learn more, call our office to schedule an appointment.