Which non-cardiac condition can lead to readmission in heart failure patients?

Pulmonary disease, particularly conditions such as pulmonary embolism (PE) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, can lead to readmission in heart failure patients due to the interconnected nature of respiratory and cardiac health. When a heart failure patient experiences respiratory distress caused by pulmonary issues, it can exacerbate existing heart failure symptoms, leading to increased fluid retention and further strain on the heart.

In heart failure, the heart's ability to pump effectively is compromised, and when oxygenation is also affected by pulmonary conditions, it can create a cycle of deterioration. Patients may experience worsened dyspnea, increased heart rate, and may require diuretics or other interventions to manage both heart failure and the acute pulmonary condition.

Other listed conditions may have individual complications, but they do not typically lead to acute exacerbations that would require rapid reevaluation and hospitalization in the same way that pulmonary issues do in patients already struggling with heart failure. Thus, pulmonary diseases directly impact the cardiorespiratory system, making them critical in the context of heart failure readmissions.