Pulmonary Hypertension

What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the lungs. This type of blood pressure affects the blood vessels in the lungs and make the right side of the heart work harder. It is  a chronic and life-changing disease that can lead to right heart failure if left untreated.

Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) affects people of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be difficult to diagnose in a routine medical exam because the most common symptoms of PH, such as breathlessness, fatigue and dizziness, are also associated with many other conditions. If your doctor suspects that you have PH, he or she will want to review your medical and family history, perform a physical exam and perform one or more diagnostic tests. There are several different types of pulmonary hypertension, and treatment may vary depending on the type of PH you have.

 

Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension

Although there is currently no cure for pulmonary hypertension, there are treatment options available and more are on the horizon. Treatments include conventional medical therapies and oral, inhaled, intravenous (into the vein) and subcutaneous (into the skin) options. Depending on the severity of PH, heart or lung transplant may also be an option. If you are diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, ask to be referred to the Pulmonary Hypertension Team at CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute. We offer the latest treatments for pulmonary hypertension and will develop a treatment option that is best for you. 

 

 

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