February Is Heart Month

By Barbara Moore

2 min read

The month of February is dedicated to all things of the heart. The feast of St. Valentine falls on February 14th. On this day we celebrate love and affection with cards, gifts, and church services. So, it is no wonder that February is marked as American Heart Month. It is a time to bring attention to the importance of cardiovascular health and how we can all work toward eliminating our risk.

Oxygen and breathing

When we have COPD, breathing becomes an all-encompassing issue. Some of us are reluctant to take supplemental oxygen or to wear it outside of our home. This is a problem because when your lungs are stressed and not getting enough oxygen, it puts a strain on your heart and that can lead to permanent damage or death.

Heart disease and comorbidities

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and COPD is not far behind at #4. These two diseases are often connected, and because shortness of breath is a hallmark sign of both, distinguishing the culprit can be tricky. So, if you have COPD and think that your shortness of breath is not an issue, think again.

According to Merriam-Webster, a comorbidity is the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient.¹ Our heart and lungs work in conjunction with one another, and when we develop COPD, we often also acquire some form of cardiovascular disease.

Types of heart failure

Heart failure is a cardiovascular condition that often severely impacts a person's quality of life. Below are some common types of heart failure.

Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when your heart becomes too weak to pump blood to the rest of your body. It means that blood can backflow around the heart and lungs, causing shortness of breath. Sometimes this weakness in the heart can be caused by continually stressed lungs.²

Left-sided heart failure

Low oxygen levels in the blood put additional strain on the heart. It makes it harder for the heart to pump, further straining the muscles in the left side of the heart. Left-sided heart failure contributes to fluid build-up in the lungs making COPD symptoms worse. This causes more severe shortness of breath, especially upon exertion.³

Right-sided heart failure

Low oxygen levels due to COPD can cause blood pressure to rise in the arteries of the lungs. This causes pulmonary hypertension in the lungs which places excess strain on the heart's right side. This in turn causes the muscle to become stretched, and as it weakens, right-sided heart failure can develop.³

Advocate for yourself

There is never going to be a better time to advocate for yourself. Be proactive and talk to your pulmonary doctor. Ask them about your increased risk of heart failure and if you should see a cardiologist to help monitor your heart health. Having a pulmonary and cardio doctor work as your team is optimal for your best health.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with heart failure, please check out our sister community, Heart-Failure.net!

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Liana Collet Moderator
Thanks for your very informative article Barbara. I have no idea if I suffer with any of these problems, but I do suffer with high blood pressure which is regulated with medication. I've had check ups and the Dr hasn't found anything untoward as yet. I think I need a proper check up after reading this. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead. Love Liana.
1. Liana Collet Moderator
 Thanks for the encouragement Barbara. Its much appreciated. Have a fabulous week. Liana ( site moderator and author )
2. Liana Collet Moderator
 You are really kind Leon. Thank you do much for your concern. I'm seeing my Dr soon and will voice my own concerns with her. I will take your advice onboard. Wishing you a great week. Kindest regards Liana( site moderator and author )
Liana Collet Moderator
Thanks for the encouragement Barbara. Its much appreciated. Have a fabulous week. Liana ( site moderator )
toolate32 Member
I have both and I usually go to the hospital once a month with one or the other. Angina or can't breath, This is an awful disease and I have missed so many holidays and family outings. With this covid I see no one as they are afraid to give me the flu. I go out once a month to the bank.I have found it very depressing and lonely. I am sure I am not alone, so many seniors are alone. I hate going to hospital as I am afraid to get the flu there. LOL
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Toolate32, Have you tried joining some groups through Facebook, the library or even Zooming with friends. I do and it keeps me in touch. Talk to your doctor or Social Worker about groups in your area. At the least, get in touch with the Lung Association. They have many resources that are all free. I hope, in some small way this helps you. Barbara Moore (site moderator and author )
2. toolate32 Member
 Thank you for the reply, I will try the Lung Association.
aapostal Member
Make sure to keep on you toes with both your heart doctor and your lung doctor on this one. They might tend to lay your troubles on the other. I suppose one day they will both be working to keep me alive, but right now I wonder. I have what my doctor calls complete heart failure. Have triple wire pace maker that works all the time. Also stage 3+ COPD.
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Aapostal, I interviewed my new Pulmo and Cardio doctors before I agreed to sign on with them. I told them they had to work as a team. They both agreed to speak to the other for any change in my medical needs. I have confidence that they are working in my best interest. Barbara Moore (site moderator and author)
gadget Member
Wouldn't it be nice if COPD patients hung out together in person? No one would show up with cologne, or stare if you gasp for air. We would be more compassionate as friends. I was told once by a nurse, "COPDer's are the worst". She was referring to my father at the time. Maybe it's because there's not enough symphathetic people to help treat or understand the condition. Breathing is something anyone can take for granted, not COPDer's. We are prisoners of our bodies, homes, neighborhoods, stores, doctors, COVID and so forth. We get each other right?
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi Gadget, I have often thought that myself. Imagine that everyone around us had the same issues. Each would understand the other and be able to help each other. Aside from Covid I lead an in person support group. Look to your Lung Association for 1 in your area. Barbara Moore (sit moderator and author)
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="2426551" username="gadget"/> , and thanks for your post. I see my colleagues, Lyn and Barbara, have already responded to your comment. I will piggy-back onto what each of them has said to you. I did want to add that I'm sorry that 'unfeeling' nurse made that comment to you directly. That isn't the sort of remark I would expect a health care professional to say to the daughter of her patient! In fact, on the contrary - many, many years ago, my wife (a nurse with whom I worked when we started in the health care industry), used to say to one another how much we 'enjoyed' taking care of the COPD patients! We worked on a medical ward at that time which was dedicated to many COPD patients. The patients always seemed to be so grateful and appreciative of whatever care we provided! I know we both feel this very same way today!! Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
gadget Member
Wasn't my father's nurse. Was someone I had worked with, referring to my father. Still it was cruel! Fortunately my father had a great team of nurses.
1. Lynida Jo Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
 Gadget - Well that's good to hear! and it's wonderful that you ended up with a good team to work with your dad. It makes a world of difference. Best, Lyn (site moderator)
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="2426551" username="gadget"/> , and thanks for your reply to our initial conversation(s), below. As my colleague, Lyn and Barbara, have said, having a good medical team can make managing this condition so much easier. Professional medical team members should not say these sorts of things - the words can be hurtful. I am sorry you went through this.. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)

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