Coughing and Heart Disease Relationship

Not a few of you who may have asked if there is a relationship between cough and heart disease? At first glance, these two conditions seem different things as coughing associated with respiratory organs such as the throat and lungs, while the heart disease clearly a vital organ disorders experienced that pumps blood throughout the body.

But in fact, the heart and lungs are organs that are inter-related. Similarly, coughing and heart disease. As described in the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, cough is one sign of heart disease. Here is a brief explanation of the relationship between cough and heart disease:

Cough is basically instinctive reflex action or mechanism of the body to expel foreign objects that may irritate the respiratory tract. In fact, the production of mucus (when cough) 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 not be taken lightly.Chronic cough is generally an indication of a respiratory tract infection. But it may have also been associated with heart disease.

Generally, cough suffered by those with upper or lower respiratory tract. Prior to the lungs to perform the functions of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, the air we breathe, first pass components of the respiratory system such as the nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, throat, and bronchial tubes.Respiratory organs can become inflamed if we inhale irritants such as dust, chemicals, fumes, or disease-causing microbes. These conditions encourage the immune system to expel the mucus irritation. Working system of the human body organs work collectively. Similarly, between the respiratory and circulatory system, in which the heart is the main organ.

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

Cough and heart failure
To understand the relationship 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).The weakening of the myocardium or heart muscle due to coronary artery disease is one of the most common causes of congestive heart failure. Coronary heart disease is characterized by lack of blood flow to the heart due to the buildup of arterial plaque. Although this causes the heart muscle to weaken, thus increasing the risk of congestive heart failure, heart muscle thickening due to high blood pressure can also cause the same effect.

 Coronary artery disease also increases the risk of heart attack. A heart attack is a life-threatening condition in which the coronary artery blockage causes damage to part of the heart muscle. Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain and edema are characteristic symptoms of congestive heart failure.Heart failure can occur on one side of the heart, such as heart failure or left side right side heart failure. If heart failure occurs in the left ventricle pumps the heart, the blood will clump together and accumulate in the lungs (congestion). This is what raises congestion shortness of breath and coughing. As a result, the air bag as the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide can be filled with liquid, 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 buildup of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs that causes shortness of breath.

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

Obesity, heart disease and asthma could all be determined in the womb due to a mother"s diet

• British Nutrition Foundation says women need to know impact of health in pregnancy and before conception


• Claim risk of obesity, asthma, allergies and heart disease can all be affected by mother’s diet and health


• Almost half of women of childbearing age in the UK are overweight and this could impact their children’s health

The likelihood of adults developing obesity and many other health problems might be determined in the womb

The likelihood of adults developing obesity and many other health problems might be determined in the womb, according to a report published today.

Women need to know that their weight and health during pregnancy, and before they conceive, plays a key part in securing a healthy long-term future for their children, the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) said.

A BNF taskforce has been looking at aspects of nutrition and early life development, including the impact of a mother’s health and eating habits on her baby even before conception.

They concluded that obesity, asthma, allergies, cardiovascular disease and many more conditions might be handed on from the mother.

Taskforce chairman Professor Tom Sanders said: ‘Evidence suggests that poor foetal growth, especially followed by accelerated growth in infancy, may be associated with long-term adverse consequences for health. 

‘Poor foetal growth may also affect kidney development, making offspring more sensitive to the blood pressure raising effect of salt and, therefore, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease.’

The report looks at the causes of obesity and concludes that the increased appetite some people have in adulthood compared with others might have also been programmed in the womb as a result of their mother’s diet and weight.

Almost half of women of child-bearing age in England are overweight or obese and this can be the cause of a biological cycle of maternal obesity leading to health issues for children in later life.

Sara Stanner, science programme manager at BNF, said: ‘There is now unequivocal evidence to show the biological link between obesity and weight-related health issues in women and their children.

‘This is a very important message in the fight against obesity. Women need to know that their weight and health, during pregnancy and even before they conceive, plays a key part in securing a healthy long-term future for their children. 

‘Once a baby is conceived, the biological framework for its future health is already set, so, where possible, women should look to improve their health status before they conceive. A major challenge the UK faces in addressing the obesity epidemic is the fact that around half of all pregnancies in the UK are unplanned.’

A mother’s health could have far-reaching consequences, with a poor lifestyle contributing to obesity in childhood

Commenting on the publication of the report, Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: ‘We look forward to this report with great interest. We know that good nutrition is incredibly important to the health of the pregnant woman and her developing baby. 

‘Good nutrition in pregnancy can also have a significant impact on the health of the baby well into its adult life, and midwives are perfectly placed to stress the importance of a good diet before and during pregnancy.

‘Obesity is without doubt a problem and can have detrimental effects in pregnancy. It is an issue we need to tackle and midwives have a key role to play in helping obese women in their care, to promote better health in their pregnancy and beyond. This is a public health role of the midwife that is often overlooked and under-recognised.

‘We are desperately short of midwives in England and investment is needed in midwifery so that they can carry out this part of their work much more effectively, to the benefit of the public health of the nation.

‘These findings also show the value of preconception care and midwives can provide this as part of their care after birth in readiness for later