According to Dr. Basavaraj Utagi - Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Fortis Hospital, Delhi (India), coughing is a natural reflex that helps clean the airways and is often not a concern, mainly caused by mild diseases. However, when the cough persists, it can be a warning sign of a more serious problem, including heart disease.
What does chronic cough have to do with heart disease?
Chronic cough is defined as a cough that lasts for more than 8 weeks and often affects quality of life. Dr. Utagi said that heart cough often comes from heart failure, causing fluid stagnation in the lungs (longos), stimulating the airways and leading to coughing. This type of cough is often worse when lying down and can be accompanied by pink, foaming phlegm.
When the heart is weakened and cannot pump blood effectively, blood and fluid accumulate in the lungs, causing blockage, stimulating the body to cough to remove this excess fluid.
Signs of coughing up due to heart disease
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), persistent cough is one of the common symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). Coughing up from the heart often has white or pink phlegm, even mixed with blood.
In addition to coughing, patients may also experience symptoms such as swelling, fatigue and shortness of breath. Coughing from the heart often becomes more serious at night or when lying on the stomach. Meanwhile, coughing due to respiratory diseases is often accompanied by wheezing, chest tightness and yellow or green phlegm.
Who is at risk of heart cough?
People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of heart cough. In addition, older adults, obese people, and people who have had heart failure or myocardial infarction are also susceptible to this condition. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet also increase your risk.
Note
Dr. Basavaraj Utagi says a persistent cough should not be taken lightly because it is sometimes a warning sign of heart disease, especially when accompanied by symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue or swelling. In particular, for people with underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes or a history of heart disease, early detection and timely treatment are very important to effectively control the disease.
If you or your loved one has a persistent cough, take the initiative to see a doctor for advice and take the necessary tests to avoid ignoring potential dangerous signs.
