There is no direct causal connection; however many folks with COPD also have heart problems and many have CHF. The heart and lungs are a conjoined system and any time the lungs are really working hard and we're SOB, the heart has to work a lot faster. Sometimes it can't keep up with the demand and we develop heart difficulties as well.
With CHF your legs can retain water while your heart is working as hard as it can.I do not know a connection between the two. I know with me I tend to get celluiltis a lot in my legs but it has nothing to do with COPD. What Jean said above is a better understanding because our lungs are working hard to help us breath that makes the heart work even harder. Have you ever seen a heart doc. Your pulminary may want to order a stress test that a heart doctor would do. If you think you have CHF you need to have a dr, do the required tests to see if you do.
Well said !
I have CHF also. Going to see my Cardiologist Thursday. Pray to get good report!
@ Lennart...If you feel your Heart is overcompensating for your Lungs, get a referral to have a Echocardiogram done....This is the test usually associated with Pulmonary Hypertension...