Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is high pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood into the lungs. This strains the lungs and heart and can lead to serious problems.

What Are the Causes of Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is generally caused by another health problem. In many cases, controlling this health problem can help prevent or control pulmonary hypertension. Some of the most common causes of pulmonary hypertension are:

In children

• Severe lung problems in a newborn

• Lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or interstitial lung disease

• Heart disease

• Congenital heart defects

• HIV infection

• Other conditions, such as scleroderma, lupus, or sickle cell disease

In adults

• Lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), advanced bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis

• Blood clots in the lungs

• Left-sided heart failure

• HIV infection

• Sleep apnea

• Other conditions, such as scleroderma, lupus, or sickle cell disease

What Are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?

Symptoms may come on suddenly. Or they may come on slowly over time. Symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath

• Blue lips or fingernails (signs that the body is having trouble getting oxygen)

• Tiring quickly, especially when active

• Fast heartbeat

• Bloating

• Swelling in the legs or ankles

• Chest pain or pressure

• Fainting or dizzy spells

How Is Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosed?

Tests are done to help find the underlying cause. They may include:

• A physical exam, which includes listening to the heart and lungs and measuring systemic blood pressure.

• Blood tests to measure certain body functions and check for problems such as infection.

• A chest x-ray to show the inside of the chest.

• An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to record the heart’s electrical activity.

• An echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce a moving picture of the heart.

• Pulmonary function tests, which are a series of tests that measure breathing and lung capacity.

• Cardiac catheterization, which is a procedure that gives the doctor detailed information about the heart’s structures. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is put into a blood vessel and guided into the heart. Certain blood pressure tests can then be done.

How Is Pulmonary Hypertension Treated?

Treatment depends on age, health, and the extent of the disease. The doctor will treat the underlying cause. He or she may also prescribe one or more of the following:

• Oxygen

• Medication to lower the pressure in the lung blood vessels

• Medication to help the body lose excess water

• Medication to prevent blood clots

What Are the Long-Term Concerns?

If the underlying cause can be treated, the outcome is often good. In rare cases when the condition is long-lasting and severe, a lung transplant may be needed.