Cardiopulmonary care

Cardiopulmonary diseases can easily go unnoticed, so we encourage you to speak to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating

Our specialists will be able to investigate these symptoms and determine if you have COPD or something else. Regardless of your diagnosis, they will work closely together and in connection with other providers across our network of hospitals to help improve your quality of life.

When you have a potential cardiopulmonary condition, we will quickly and effectively begin the diagnostic process. You may undergo typical cardiac diagnostics, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), or lung diagnostics, such as pulmonary function testing.

Some of the other diagnostic tests and exams we may use to diagnose cardiopulmonary conditions include:

• Arterial blood gases — a blood draw from your wrist that measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood
• Bronchoscopy — a fiber-optic scope is inserted in the lungs to allow physicians to view the internal condition of the lungs
• Chest X-rays — imaging to view the inflation size of your lungs
• Computerized tomography (CT) scans — imaging to view your lungs in more detail than what you can see in a chest X-ray
• Pulmonary function tests (PFT) — spirometry that measures the amount of air coming in and going out of your lungs
• Pulse oximetry — a tool (typically a tiny device that holds the end of your finger) and measures the oxygen in your blood

You may also need to have more in-depth tests, such as transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, to help our specialists make an accurate diagnosis. Whatever you need, we will work closely with you to help get you diagnosed as quickly as possible.

The treatment plan we develop for you will depend on your unique medical history and condition. We'll tailor it carefully around your needs and include access to education services about diet, exercise and smoking cessation options.

When needed, we also offer:

• Extracorporeal CO2 removal (for chronic COPD)
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Medicated breathing treatments
• Oxygen therapy
• Physical therapy
• Support groups for those with breathing difficulties

COPD is a permanent cardiopulmonary condition which most often causes trouble breathing because it causes the airways to become blocked. Early warning signs of COPD include a chronic cough (especially which produces some amount of mucus) and intermittent shortness of breath.

Diagnosing COPD

It's important to know that COPD is not curable, but it is treatable—especially when diagnosed quickly, before the disease progresses. It's also a dangerous disease because it can lead to more serious medical conditions, such as heart disease or lung cancer. To help head off these types of complications, we use innovative diagnostic and imaging tools to diagnose COPD as early on in the disease as possible.

Treating COPD

Treating COPD involves managing symptoms and slowing the damage the disease causes to the lungs. Typical treatments we offer include medications and oxygen therapies. We also offer a more specialized minimally invasive option to treat COPD: extracorporeal carbon dioxide (CO2) removal. This treatment is particularly useful to patients with chronic COPD.