Breathing is a normal and the most overlooked part of your life. You tend to inhale and exhale more than a thousand times every day but rarely pay attention to your respiratory health until your breathing starts to feel hard. You can contract respiratory problems for varied reasons, like asthma, pneumonia, congestion, etc. However, do you know these diseases can further escalate and cause fatal effects on your heart health? 

Yes, you heard it right! Your respiratory and cardiovascular systems are connected, and any issue with one system can impact the functioning of another. Continue reading to determine the connection between the respiratory system and heart health and tips to keep respiratory problems at bay to keep your heart happy.

How Respiratory System and Heart are Intertwined?

The heart and respiratory system are so closely connected that if either one has a problem, it might cause the other system to fail. So, how it works? How are the functions of the respiratory system (lungs) and the cardiovascular system (heart) intertwined? 

With each beat, your heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body to ensure your body functions optimally. The pulmonary loop, or your heart’s right side, is responsible for collecting oxygen-low blood and sending it to your lungs for cleaning and reoxygenating by removing carbon dioxide. 

Once the oxygen-poor blood is reoxygenated, your heart’s left side or the systemic loop sends this oxygen-rich blood to the remaining organs, from the kidneys to the brain and liver. Once your body consumes all the oxygen in your body, your heart and lungs repeat the entire process. 

With each breath you inhale, your lungs receive fresh oxygen, and with each breath you exhale, your lungs release carbon dioxide, ensuring the blood pumped by your heart meets your body's needs.

Respiratory Problems Affecting Your Heart Health

Problems with the functioning of the respiratory system are among the major heart disease risk factors. If you fail to inhale and exhale properly, your lungs and heart can suffer, preventing the heart from pumping enough oxygenated blood throughout your body. 

Among many respiratory diseases, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is studied to cause your heart to fail. 

COPD Causing Left-Sided Heart Failure

High blood pressure and coronary artery disease are two ailments that often cause left-sided heart failure. Although COPD is not directly related to heart failure, these two medical conditions can influence one another.

For example, COPD can lead to low oxygen in the blood, putting additional strain on your heart. And continuous strain can worsen your left-sided heart’s condition, leading to a failure. Furthermore, the accumulation of too much fluid in your lungs due to heart failure can make it harder to breathe for those with COPD.

COPD Causing Right-Sided Heart Failure

Severe COPD is studied to cause right-sided heart failure, i.e., in your heart’s lower right ventricle or chamber. 

COPD can cause the airways in your lungs to be inflamed or thicken, restricting the flow of oxygen in and out of your lungs. It further leads to high blood pressure (pulmonary hypertension), which puts extra strain on your heart’s ride side and, thus, causes it to fail.

Some other respiratory problems that can have an impact on your heart include shortness of breath, bronchitis, heart asthma, and emphysema. 

Symptoms Indicating Issues with Respiratory and Heart Health

Keeping an eye on the below-listed symptoms will help you pinpoint whether you are experiencing any respiratory or heart health issues:

• Low oxygen levels
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing 
• Chronic cough 
• Unexplained shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Palpitations
• Heart failure
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Swelling in legs, ankles, or feet
• Unintended weight loss

Key Tips to Keep Your Lungs and Heart Happy

The functioning of your lungs and heart determines your overall wellness. So, how to keep these two crucial organs healthy? Here outlined are some lifestyle-changing tips that can help prevent respiratory diseases and, thus, keep your heart young and healthy:

• Exercise regularly: When one exercises, their lungs and heart work harder to provide extra oxygen to their muscles. So, not only does working out make your muscles stronger, but it also strengthens your heart and lungs. With improved physical fitness, your respiratory system becomes more efficient in inhaling and exhaling, thus providing fresh oxygen to the body.
• Eat healthy: No single food is enough to supply all vital nutrients to your body for improved heart and lung health. You need to include a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, protein, whole grains, and healthy fats in your diet to prevent respiratory ailments and strengthen your heart and lungs. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids-rich foods can reduce inflammation in the arteries near your heart, ensuring smooth blood circulation.
• Say ‘no’ to smoking: Regular smoking can narrow your lung passages, making breathing harder. It further leads to a restricted supply of oxygen to your lungs and bloodstream and, in worse situations, can permanently damage your lung tissue and cause lung cancer or COPD. However, quitting smoking can help repair your lungs and overall body.
• Relive your stress: Harmful hormones are released when stressed and can negatively affect your lungs and heart. These hormones can increase your heartbeat and lead to rapid, shallow breathing. Look out for ways to help reduce your stress and, thus, preserve your heart and lung health.
• Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can interfere with your lungs, heart, and overall body functioning. You must sleep 7-8 hours daily to maintain overall well-being.

Final Words

Proper functioning of your respiratory systems contributes to preserving your heart health and overall well-being. Incorporating the discussed positive lifestyle changes in your routine can help keep your respiratory system, lungs, and heart functioning on track.