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What is the Connection Between Congestive Heart Failure and Pneumonia?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

Congestive heart failure and pneumonia are related in a variety of ways. For example, they share many of the same symptoms and can often be confused because they both look similar on an X-ray. In addition, each condition can cause complications during the treatment of the other. For instance, pneumonia is generally treatable, but those with heart conditions are much more likely to suffer from severe complications. Additionally, those with underlying heart problems can sometimes suffer from a heart attack during pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a condition of the lungs which is characterized by heavy mucus production, coughing, chest pain and heaviness, and trouble breathing. It can be caused by irritation to the lungs, bacterial or viral infections, or sometimes fungi and parasitic infections. Congestive heart failure is a condition in which one or both sides of the heart muscle are not able to effectively pump blood throughout the body. Sometimes this can be caused by a severe and chronic lung condition like emphysema, which has many of the same symptoms of pneumonia.

Individuals who suffer with heart problems may experience a heart attack during pneumonia.
Individuals who suffer with heart problems may experience a heart attack during pneumonia.

Both congestive heart failure and pneumonia can cause shortness of breath, heaviness in the chest, chest pain, fatigue, and weakness. Even coughing can be present with both conditions because sometimes heart problems can lead to inflammation and congestion in the lungs due to lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. Doctors must check patients thoroughly to determine the cause of symptoms, and X-rays are not always conclusive.

Pneumonia is a condition of the lungs which is characterized by heavy mucus production, coughing, chest pain and heaviness, and trouble breathing.
Pneumonia is a condition of the lungs which is characterized by heavy mucus production, coughing, chest pain and heaviness, and trouble breathing.

Heart issues can also cause severe complications in those who have pneumonia. If trouble breathing and lack of oxygen intake is an issue, patients may need to be placed on a ventilator or oxygen machine since this issue can be compounded by an ineffectively pumping heart. Many times the pneumonia is treated first so that patients are healthy enough to undergo the often invasive treatments needed for congestive heart failure.

If trouble breathing and lack of oxygen intake is an issue, patients may need to be placed on a ventilator.
If trouble breathing and lack of oxygen intake is an issue, patients may need to be placed on a ventilator.

Patients with congestive heart failure and pneumonia are generally kept in the hospital so that proper care can be given. There are various types of pneumonia, so exact treatments will depend on the source. Heart failure can be treated with a variety of things, including medication or surgery. The overall prognosis for both conditions generally depends on the patient’s age and whether any additional health issues are present.

Discussion Comments

anon998459

My mom was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and pneumonia. She still feels terrible can't eat, loss of appetite lack of sleep and sleeps with oxygen. What's wrong?

anon974597

My mother is 94 and she has pneumonia and she also suffers from congestive heart failure. I am really concerned. Can someone tell me if should I be very worried? I love my mom so much. If she passes, I don't know what would I do.

anon959478

But pneumonia per se does not cause heart failure.

SarahGen

@burcinc-- I think the connection between congestive heart disease and pneumonia often go the other way. Congestive heart failure often leads to pneumonia because it leads to buildup of fluids in the lung. The build up can result in infection which can then cause pneumonia if it's not treated quickly.

My grandfather experienced this. He had congestive heart disease and then, he also developed pneumonia. He was in the hospital for a long time.

candyquilt

@burcinc-- It's true that pneumonia is dangerous for the elderly, but it doesn't have to be due to congestive heart failure. Pneumonia can cause death due to heart failure or respiratory failure. Sometimes it's difficult to know what the exact cause of death is. Usually, it is said that death is due to complications from pneumonia.

Having said that, if someone with high blood pressure or other heart issues has symptoms of pneumonia, he or she needs to be extra careful. Pneumonia can be dangerous for everyone. But the more chronic health conditions someone has, the more dangerous pneumonia generally becomes. Young children and the elderly are especially at risk of pneumonia complications.

burcinc

It's because of the connection between congestive heart failure and pneumonia that pneumonia is so dangerous for the elderly, right?

I often hear about and read about elderly people dying from pneumonia.

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    • Individuals who suffer with heart problems may experience a heart attack during pneumonia.
      By: drubig-photo
      Individuals who suffer with heart problems may experience a heart attack during pneumonia.
    • Pneumonia is a condition of the lungs which is characterized by heavy mucus production, coughing, chest pain and heaviness, and trouble breathing.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Pneumonia is a condition of the lungs which is characterized by heavy mucus production, coughing, chest pain and heaviness, and trouble breathing.
    • If trouble breathing and lack of oxygen intake is an issue, patients may need to be placed on a ventilator.
      By: sudok1
      If trouble breathing and lack of oxygen intake is an issue, patients may need to be placed on a ventilator.
    • The prognosis for congestive heart failure and pneumonia depends on the age and medical history of the patient.
      By: kmiragaya
      The prognosis for congestive heart failure and pneumonia depends on the age and medical history of the patient.
    • Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs.
      By: vbaleha
      Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can reduce the body's capability to circulate oxygen to organs.
    • Pneumonia causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, to become inflamed and filled with fluid.
      By: rob3000
      Pneumonia causes the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, to become inflamed and filled with fluid.
    • A chest X-ray can be used to diagnose pneumonia in patients.
      By: creo77
      A chest X-ray can be used to diagnose pneumonia in patients.
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      By: aaabbc
      Long-term use of illicit drugs may cause congestive heart failure.