Prevention & Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension - Houston Cardiologist

The human body has two circulation systems:
• Systemic: Delivering oxygen throughout the body
• Pulmonary: Receiving oxygen from the lungs

Typically "blood pressure," "high blood pressure" and "hypertension" refer to the systemic pressure throughout your body. Systemic blood pressure measures the pressure in your brachial artery (found in your arm) while the left side of the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood from the lungs into the rest of your body. It's measured with a traditional arm cuff.

Pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disorder characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor blood from the lower chamber on the right side of the heart (right ventricle) to the lungs where it picks up oxygen.

Types of Pulmonary Hypertension:
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH): This form affects blood vessels in the lungs that carry blood from the heart to the lungs where it picks up oxygen. This category is divided into two types:

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH): This is very rare and can occur for no known reason. In about 10 percent of cases, it's inherited. It most often occurs in young adults and is more than twice as common in women as men.

Pulmonary Venous Hypertension (PVH): This form is caused by diseases of the left side of the heart, such as heart failure or mitral valve disease. This can increase pulmonary artery blood pressure but usually doesn't become severe PAH.

Respiratory System: Pulmonary hypertension can be associated with diseases of the respiratory system including interstitial lung disease, emphysema, asthmatic bronchitis, sleep apnea and chronic exposure to high altitude.

Chronic Blood Clots: Blood clots in the lung blood vessels

Causes of Pulmonary Hypertension:
In many patients, the cause of pulmonary hypertension is unknown. In this case, the condition is called idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Idiopathic means the cause of a disease is not known. IPAH is rare. It affects more women than men.
• Heart failure
• Heart valve disease
• Blood clots in the lung
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Birth defects of the heart
• Low oxygen levels in the blood for a long time
• Lung disease, such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis
• Autoimmune diseases that damage the lungs, such as scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis

Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension:
Shortness of breath or light-headedness during activity is often the first symptom. Fast heart rate (palpitations) may be present. Over time, symptoms occur with lighter activity or even while at rest, other symptoms include:
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Ankle and leg swelling
• Increased abdomen size
• Dizziness or fainting spells
• Bluish color of the lips or skin

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension:
Pulmonary hypertension can be difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms often resemble other heart and lung disorders. In fact, many people with PH do not know they have it until the disease has become more advanced. To make an accurate diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, and rule out other heart and lung diseases, our physicians may perform laboratory blood tests and/or any of the following tests:
• CT scan
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram
• Exercise Stress Test
• Cardiac Catheterization
• Pulmonary Function Test
• Nuclear Medicine Lung Scan

Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension:
There is no cure for pulmonary hypertension. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent more lung damage. It is important to treat medical disorders that cause pulmonary hypertension, such as obstructive sleep apnea, lung conditions, and heart valve problems.

Many treatment options for pulmonary arterial hypertension are available. If you are prescribed medicines, they may be taken by mouth (oral), received through the vein (intravenous, or IV), or breathed in (inhaled).

Once PHT has been diagnosed, medical therapy is often needed. Regularly follow up with a cardiologist or pulmonologist trained in caring for patients with PHT, other treatments may include:
• Oxygen therapy at home
• Heart-lung transplant, if medicines do not work
• Blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots, especially if you have IPAH

Prevention of Pulmonary Hypertension:
Since the cause of primary pulmonary hypertension is still unknown, there is no way to prevent or cure this disease. A change in lifestyle may help patients with daily activities.

Seek counsel from our Cardiology Doctors in Houston if you suspect you are suffering from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension for the best treatment options for you.

Visit us at: www.Advancedcardiodr.com |Call: +1 281-866-7701.