Pulmonary hypertension

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a type of coronary artery disease (CAD). This condition occurs when pressure in the pulmonary arteries becomes abnormally elevated. There is inflammation in the lining of the pulmonary artery, which changes the cells in the lining. Consequently, it becomes more difficult for the heart to pump blood forward into the lungs to be oxygenated.

PH usually develops between the ages of 20 and 60.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PH range in severity and can include:

• Shortness of breath with everyday activities
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Racing heartbeat
• Dizziness and fainting spells

If the heart becomes too weak to pump a sufficient amount of blood to the lungs, it may cause heart failure.

Causes

Constriction, or stiffening, of the pulmonary arteries that supply blood to the lungs causes pulmonary hypertension. There are five categories of PH, determined by the pressure in the pulmonary arteries while the person is at rest and during activity. Often, other heart and lung diseases or blood clots cause pulmonary hypertension. The disease is sometimes hereditary.

Diagnosis

Besides a physical exam and taking your family history, a physician may diagnose PH with the following means:

• Echocardiography
• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram
• Right heart catheterization
• Chest CT scan
• Chest MRI
• Lung function tests
• Polysomnogram (PSG)
• Lung ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scan
• Blood tests

To determine the severity of the disease, your doctor also may use exercise testing.

Source: https://lenoxhill.northwell.edu/lenox-hill-heart-lung/thoracic-surgery/find-care/conditions/pulmonary-hypertension