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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swelling In The Legs And Feet While Having COPD?

Hi, my father is 70 years old. Former smoker and diagnosed with COPD. He has serious swelling in his legs and feet. Cannot bend over to care for them, at all. Now skin is cracking and seeping plasma. Primary care Dr doesn t seem to be concerned about it. I live 1/2 across country from him and just not sure where I should ask him to go. Heart Dr doesn t really seem invested in a long term resolution but I believe it all might be stemming from his heart not being strong enough to route circulation properly throughout his body.
Mon, 17 Apr 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi, thanks for your question. Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.

Swelling of lower extremities is not directly caused by COPD but it is caused by pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure which are complications of COPD.

COPD increases the pressure in the blood vessels of lungs hence causing the increased pressure in right side of heart which ultimately puts back pressure on left side of heart and back in the veins of lower extremities. This sequence results in pooling of blood in lower extremities causing leakage of fluid into the tissues and hence the swelling.

Your father is having a complicated COPD. He needs to take some diuretics (like furosemide) and proper cardiac evaluation and treatment of pulmonary hypertension caused by COPD. He needs to follow up with both his pulmonologist and cardiologist.

I hope I satisfied your query. Have any more questions, feel free to contact me. :)
Regards.
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What Causes Swelling In The Legs And Feet While Having COPD?

Hi, thanks for your question. Please rate my answer if you are satisfied. Swelling of lower extremities is not directly caused by COPD but it is caused by pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure which are complications of COPD. COPD increases the pressure in the blood vessels of lungs hence causing the increased pressure in right side of heart which ultimately puts back pressure on left side of heart and back in the veins of lower extremities. This sequence results in pooling of blood in lower extremities causing leakage of fluid into the tissues and hence the swelling. Your father is having a complicated COPD. He needs to take some diuretics (like furosemide) and proper cardiac evaluation and treatment of pulmonary hypertension caused by COPD. He needs to follow up with both his pulmonologist and cardiologist. I hope I satisfied your query. Have any more questions, feel free to contact me. :) Regards.