Pulmonary Hypertension

What is pulmonary hypertension?

"Pulmonary" means "in the lungs," and "hypertension" means "high blood pressure." Pulmonary hypertension happens when the pulmonary arteries (the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs) narrow so they can't carry as much blood. This puts strain on the heart because it has to work harder to try to force blood through. The blood flow causes pressure to build up in the narrowed arteries. Pulmonary hypertension is a serious problem.

What are the signs of pulmonary hypertension?

Common signs of pulmonary hypertension are getting short of breath with activity, feeling tired, fainting and having chest pain. Symptoms usually limit a person's ability to exercise and do other activities.

What causes pulmonary hypertension?

Many things can cause pulmonary hypertension. However, sometimes the cause is not known. When the cause of pulmonary hypertension isn't known, the disorder is called "primary" pulmonary hypertension.

"Secondary" pulmonary hypertension has a known cause. Common causes are breathing problems called emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Other causes are congestive heart failure, birth defects in the heart, chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (old blood clots in the pulmonary arteries), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and certain medicines.

Both primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension are usually permanent conditions, although treatment can improve symptoms and long-term outcomes in some people.

How does my doctor know that I have pulmonary hypertension?

The signs of pulmonary hypertension can be similar to the signs of many health problems. To find out if you have pulmonary hypertension, your doctor may do a test called an echocardiogram. For this test, an instrument called a probe is placed on the outside of your chest. The probe sends out sound waves. These sound waves are used to form pictures of your heart and estimate the blood pressure in your pulmonary arteries.

How is pulmonary hypertension treated?

If the cause of your pulmonary hypertension is known, treating this cause may help. Breathing oxygen from a tank is one possible treatment. Sometimes, taking a medicine called a calcium-channel blocker, a blood-thinning medicine or a diuretic (water pill) may help. Blood vessel dilators and endothelin receptor antagonists are other types of medicines that may be used to treat pulmonary hypertension.

Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

Source

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension by TD Nauser, MD; SW Stites, MD (American Family Physician May 1, 2001, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010501/1789.html)