Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClassificationSymptomsProgressionTreatmentsLifestyle HabitsResources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Classification
Symptoms
Progression
Treatments
Lifestyle Habits
Resources
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a form ofhigh blood pressureaffecting the pulmonary artery, the vessel that carries deoxygenated blood into the lungs to pick up oxygen. It can lead to difficulty breathing and a reduction in usually performed activities, taking a physical and emotional toll on an affected individual’s overall well-being. Pulmonary hypertension is a serious and progressive disease with several different causes.Untreated pulmonary hypertension can lead to heart failure and early death, so proper and adequate management and treatment are important in controlling the disease and slowing its progression.This article will review the different forms, common symptoms, and current treatments available for pulmonary hypertension.Nikola Ilic / Getty ImagesClassifying Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)Pulmonary hypertension can be further classified into five subcategories based on the cause or associated diseases. The five classifications or groups of pulmonary hypertension are:Pulmonary arterial hypertensionPulmonary hypertension due to left-sided heart diseasePulmonary hypertension due to underlying respiratory diseasesChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) due to blood clotsIdiopathic pulmonary hypertension, which has no known causeWhat Symptoms Could Be Related to Pulmonary Hypertension?Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension can be difficult to recognize as several medical conditions can cause them. Some symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:Shortness of breath with activity (aka dyspnea on exertion)FatigueChest painDizzinessFaintingSwelling of the legs and anklesCough (can sometimes produce blood)Pulmonary Hypertension ProgressionThe disease process of pulmonary hypertension is different in every case since there are several different causes. In most cases, specifically in pulmonary arterial hypertension, symptoms may start gradually over time before worsening to significant heart and lung complications.Treatments to Manage Pulmonary HypertensionThere is no cure for pulmonary hypertension but there are treatments available that help minimize discomfort and symptoms.Treatment plans for pulmonary hypertension are individualized and based on the type, disease severity and progression, and other co-morbid conditions. Some treatment options include medications such as:Vasodilators:Medications known as calcium channel blockers, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors can relax blood vessels and decrease blood pressure in the pulmonary artery.Digoxin/digitalis:These medications can help regulate the rate at which the heart pumps.Blood thinners:These medications can help prevent the formation of blood clots, which is particularly helpful for people with group 4 PH.Prostacyclin inhalers:Can help relieve shortness of breath.At-home oxygen: This can be used when oxygen saturation levels fall very low.Activin signaling inhibitors:Winrevair (sotatercept) can help increase exercise capacity, improve lung function, and reduce the risk of worsening PAH events.In very severe cases, some people may be candidates for a heart and lung transplant. However, they are both serious surgical procedures, and it is best to discuss all other options first with a healthcare provider.Lifestyle HabitsIn people with pulmonary hypertension, healthy lifestyle habits can help decrease the chance of serious complications. Some important general healthy lifestyle habits include:Regular exercise:Make sure to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new fitness routine. Often they can help direct you on safe exercise plans.A heart-healthy diet:Focus on fruits, vegetables, and high-protein foods like fish, lean meats, and legumes. Also, try to avoid saturated fats and limiting salt intake, while encouraging a variety of vegetables.Quit smoking: Tobacco use increases the risk of developing heart and lung diseases.Support Groups, Resources, and Clinical TrialsPulmonary hypertension can be both a physically and mentally taxing disease. Numerous resources for people living with PH can be found at The Pulmonary Hypertension Associationwebsite.Connecting with a community of people who also have PH can be helpful in navigating how to live with PH. Pulmonary hypertension is a big area of interest in medicine with hundreds of clinical trials already completed and many more in progress or currently recruiting. Clinical trial information can be found atClinicalTrials.gov.SummaryPulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects blood flow into the lungs. It can cause chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. Disease progression depends on the cause. Treatments can include different medications and lung or heart transplants in extreme cases. It can be an intense disease to deal with, but support groups are available.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a form ofhigh blood pressureaffecting the pulmonary artery, the vessel that carries deoxygenated blood into the lungs to pick up oxygen. It can lead to difficulty breathing and a reduction in usually performed activities, taking a physical and emotional toll on an affected individual’s overall well-being. Pulmonary hypertension is a serious and progressive disease with several different causes.
Untreated pulmonary hypertension can lead to heart failure and early death, so proper and adequate management and treatment are important in controlling the disease and slowing its progression.
This article will review the different forms, common symptoms, and current treatments available for pulmonary hypertension.
Nikola Ilic / Getty Images
Classifying Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)
Pulmonary hypertension can be further classified into five subcategories based on the cause or associated diseases. The five classifications or groups of pulmonary hypertension are:
What Symptoms Could Be Related to Pulmonary Hypertension?
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension can be difficult to recognize as several medical conditions can cause them. Some symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:
Pulmonary Hypertension Progression
The disease process of pulmonary hypertension is different in every case since there are several different causes. In most cases, specifically in pulmonary arterial hypertension, symptoms may start gradually over time before worsening to significant heart and lung complications.
Treatments to Manage Pulmonary Hypertension
There is no cure for pulmonary hypertension but there are treatments available that help minimize discomfort and symptoms.Treatment plans for pulmonary hypertension are individualized and based on the type, disease severity and progression, and other co-morbid conditions. Some treatment options include medications such as:
In very severe cases, some people may be candidates for a heart and lung transplant. However, they are both serious surgical procedures, and it is best to discuss all other options first with a healthcare provider.
In people with pulmonary hypertension, healthy lifestyle habits can help decrease the chance of serious complications. Some important general healthy lifestyle habits include:
Support Groups, Resources, and Clinical Trials
Pulmonary hypertension can be both a physically and mentally taxing disease. Numerous resources for people living with PH can be found at The Pulmonary Hypertension Associationwebsite.Connecting with a community of people who also have PH can be helpful in navigating how to live with PH. Pulmonary hypertension is a big area of interest in medicine with hundreds of clinical trials already completed and many more in progress or currently recruiting. Clinical trial information can be found atClinicalTrials.gov.
Summary
Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects blood flow into the lungs. It can cause chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. Disease progression depends on the cause. Treatments can include different medications and lung or heart transplants in extreme cases. It can be an intense disease to deal with, but support groups are available.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.Pulmonary hypertension.NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension symptoms.Nation Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension treatment.Pulmonary Hypertension Association.Treatments.American Lung Association.Treatment and Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Lung Association.Pulmonary hypertension.NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension symptoms.Nation Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension treatment.Pulmonary Hypertension Association.Treatments.American Lung Association.Treatment and Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Lung Association.Pulmonary hypertension.NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension symptoms.Nation Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension treatment.Pulmonary Hypertension Association.Treatments.American Lung Association.Treatment and Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
American Lung Association.Pulmonary hypertension.
NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension symptoms.
Nation Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Pulmonary hypertension treatment.
Pulmonary Hypertension Association.Treatments.
American Lung Association.Treatment and Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
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