What causes cor pulmonale?

Cor pulmonale is caused by chronic lung diseases and conditions that increase blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary hypertension). The most common causes include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary embolism, cystic fibrosis, and obstructive sleep apnea. These conditions force the right side of your heart to work much harder to pump blood through narrowed or damaged lung blood vessels, eventually causing the right ventricle to enlarge and weaken over time.

What is the best test for cor pulmonale?

The B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test is the most important blood test for cor pulmonale because it measures a hormone released by your heart when it is under stress or strain. When the right side of your heart struggles to pump blood through high-pressure pulmonary arteries, BNP levels rise significantly in your bloodstream. While imaging tests like echocardiograms are essential for confirming the diagnosis, BNP testing provides crucial information about the severity of heart strain and helps your doctor monitor how your condition is progressing and responding to treatment.

When should I get tested for cor pulmonale?

You should get tested if you have a chronic lung condition and develop symptoms like unexplained shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in your ankles or legs, chest discomfort, or a persistent cough. Testing is especially important if you have COPD, emphysema, sleep apnea, or other lung diseases and notice your symptoms worsening despite treatment. If you experience rapid heartbeat, fainting spells, or bluish discoloration of your lips or skin, seek immediate medical evaluation as these may indicate advancing heart strain requiring urgent attention.

What are the symptoms of cor pulmonale?

Symptoms of cor pulmonale include shortness of breath that worsens with activity, persistent fatigue and weakness, swelling in the ankles, legs, or abdomen, and chest pain or discomfort. You might also notice a rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness or fainting spells, a bluish tint to your lips or skin (cyanosis), and a chronic cough. Many people experience these symptoms gradually as the condition develops, and they often worsen during physical exertion or when lying flat.

Who is at risk for cor pulmonale?

People with chronic lung diseases are at highest risk for cor pulmonale, particularly those with COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or pulmonary fibrosis. Smokers and former smokers have significantly increased risk due to lung damage. Other at-risk groups include people with obstructive sleep apnea, those living at high altitudes for extended periods, individuals with blood clotting disorders that cause pulmonary embolism, and people with congenital heart defects. The risk increases with age and the severity of underlying lung disease.

What happens if cor pulmonale is left untreated?

Untreated cor pulmonale leads to progressive right-sided heart failure, which can become life-threatening. As the right ventricle continues to weaken, it loses the ability to pump blood effectively, causing severe fluid buildup in your legs, abdomen, and liver. This can lead to liver damage, kidney dysfunction, dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities, and ultimately complete heart failure. The weakened heart also reduces oxygen delivery throughout your body, affecting all organ systems. Early detection and treatment are essential to prevent these serious complications and improve your quality of life.

Can cor pulmonale be diagnosed with a blood test?

Blood tests alone cannot definitively diagnose cor pulmonale, but they play a vital role in detecting heart strain and supporting the diagnosis. The BNP blood test is particularly valuable because elevated levels indicate your heart is under stress, which is characteristic of cor pulmonale. Your doctor will combine blood test results with imaging studies like echocardiograms, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests also help identify underlying causes and assess how the condition affects other organs in your body.

How is cor pulmonale treated?

Treatment for cor pulmonale focuses on managing the underlying lung condition and reducing strain on the right side of your heart. This typically includes oxygen therapy to improve blood oxygen levels, medications to lower pulmonary artery pressure, diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, and blood thinners if needed to prevent clots. Your doctor may prescribe vasodilators to widen blood vessels in the lungs, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. Treating the underlying lung disease with bronchodilators, steroids, or other medications is essential for long-term management.

How can I prevent cor pulmonale?

The best way to prevent cor pulmonale is to protect your lung health and manage existing lung conditions effectively. If you smoke, quitting is the single most important step you can take. Follow your treatment plan closely if you have COPD, asthma, or other lung diseases, and attend all follow-up appointments. Get treatment for sleep apnea if diagnosed, avoid exposure to air pollution and occupational lung irritants, and stay current with vaccinations for flu and pneumonia. Regular exercise within your capabilities and maintaining a healthy weight also help protect both lung and heart function.

What can I do at home for cor pulmonale?

At home, you can support your heart and lung health by sleeping with your head elevated to ease breathing, limiting salt intake to reduce fluid retention, and pacing your activities to avoid overexertion. Monitor your weight daily and report sudden increases to your doctor as this may indicate fluid buildup. Practice breathing exercises recommended by your healthcare provider, use supplemental oxygen as prescribed, and avoid extremely cold temperatures that can strain your heart and lungs. Stay connected with your medical team and report any worsening symptoms promptly for the best outcomes.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Cor Pulmonale Blood Test | Private MD Labs

Cor Pulmonale Blood Test

What is Cor Pulmonale?

Cor pulmonale is a condition where the right side of the heart becomes enlarged and weakened due to chronic lung disease or pulmonary hypertension. It is caused by increased blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which forces the right ventricle to work harder to pump blood through the lungs. The B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test is the most important test for detecting heart strain associated with cor pulmonale.

Written by Private MD Labs Medical Team

Last updated: December 29, 2025

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

support@privatemdlabs.com