Pulmonary Hypertension
What is pulmonary hypertension?
What causes pulmonary hypertension?
Who gets pulmonary hypertension?
What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?
What is pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension occurs when pressure in the pulmonary arteries - the blood vessels that lead from the heart to the lungs - rise above normal levels. The problem starts when these arteries become narrow and tough. This forces the right side of the heart to work harder. Eventually the heart weakens, pumps less blood and the affected person starts feeling short of breath, tired or dizzy.
What causes pulmonary hypertension?
There are two kinds of pulmonary hypertension:
Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (formerly called primary pulmonary hypertension) is rare and has no known cause. Doctors believe it most likely begins when the muscles that line the walls of the pulmonary arteries go into spasms (contractions). Women are twice as likely as men to have this kind of pulmonary hypertension. Half the people who are diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension are 35 or younger when the diagnosis is made.
Secondary pulmonary hypertension occurs as a result of another disorder that affects how the lungs work. This can be any condition or disease that interferes with the flow of blood through the lungs or causes periods in which the blood does not receive enough oxygen. Some examples include:
- Heart failure or congenital heart defects
- Obesity, hypoventilation syndrome or obstructive sleep apnea
- Rheumatologic diseases, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Nerve disorders that involve the muscles used to breathe
- Chronic liver diseases
- HIV infection
- Diet drugs, such as dexfenfluramine-phentermine (fen-phen)
Who gets pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is a disease that affects all ages and ethnicities. However, older adults are more likely to have secondary pulmonary hypertension and young people are more likely to have idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension is also more common in women than it is in men.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?
The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are subtle in the early stages of the disease and may not be apparent for months or even years. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more noticeable. The most common symptom that virtually everyone has is shortness of breath when they are active. Other symptoms include:
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Swollen ankles
- Bluish lips and skin (cyanosis)
- Racing pulse
- Palpitations (a strong feeling of a fast heartbeat)
People with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension are prone to developing achy joints, sometimes years before they are diagnosed with the disease. As the disease advances, people are able to perform very little activity and begin to have symptoms even when they are resting. This eventually leads to extreme breathlessness and patients may become completely bedridden and require hospitalization.
How to treat Pulmonary Hypertension
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