Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a type of high blood pressure that affects the tiny blood vessels in your lungs, known as the pulmonary arteries and capillaries. It begins when the pulmonary vessels become too narrow to accommodate the amount of blood that must be pumped through the lungs. As blood flow meets with resistance, pressure builds within the vessel walls, forcing the heart to work harder to try and pump blood through the lungs. Eventually, the heart grows tired and weak and a condition known as cor-pulmonale, or right-sided heart failure, may occur.1
There are two types of pulmonary hypertension: pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH used to be called primary pulmonary hypertension while PH was called secondary hypertension. PAH occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs are directly diseased; PH is caused by another medical condition such as COPD, heart disease or blood clots.1
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:1
As the disease worsens, even minimal activity is enough to provoke any, or all, of the above symptoms.
Because the signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension closely mimic those of many other health conditions, it is not easily detected during a routine physical exam.2Â If your doctor suspects pulmonary hypertension, or if PH is suspected when ruling out other conditions, she may order an ultrasound of your heart (echocardiogram). If the echocardiogram shows increased pressure in the right side of your heart, your doctor may then order a right-heart catheterization, the gold standard of PH diagnosis.1
Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive, sometimes fatal illness, for which there is no cure. However, treatment can ease the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and lead to a better quality of life. Possible treatment options include:2
1. Supplemental Oxygen
2. Medications
3. Pulmonary Rehabilitation
4. Surgery
5. Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes, as noted below, won’t cure pulmonary hypertension, but implementing them in your daily life may help improve symptoms related to it:2
For more information or to find a doctor who specializes in PH visit the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
Author: Deborah Leader RN, BSN, PHN
First – I can only be contacted by email, since I am deaf and cannot use a telephone.
Second – I don’t know the reason for my need for O2 supplementation. I can’t find a curious doctor. They just say to use the tank and come back next month. Obviously it is very limiting to have to carry tanks when you leave your room. This sounds like just what I need to regain some of my independence. What do I do next? Are there forms for my doctor? If so, please send.
Incidentally, the only symptom I have among those listed for pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath. My legs do swell, but that’s been a life-long happening with me, and it’s mostly exercise-related. As a post-polio, I live in a wheelchair nowadays. This gadget should make exercise more possible. AnnE
Hello Ann,
My wife of 75 years has been diagnosed with Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, She won't accept or speak of it with me.
She was diagnosed with it about a year ago and her respirologist stated, it likely began about ten years ago.
She has some difficulty breathing and uses oxygen sparingly with the oxygen level at 4 or 5. What can I do when her oxygen level increase above the 5 level?
Please advise the best (light) mobile concentrator for her
What can be done?
Any suggestions that I can do to help her will be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Earle,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Congratulations on 75 years of marriage; that's truly remarkable. In regards to your wife's oxygen needs, we have just launched the Inogen One G5 with flow settings up to 6. The Inogen One G5 weighs 4.7 pounds with the single battery and is powerful, yet quiet. Please call us at 800-695-7915 for more information. Thank you!