Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive disorder concerning the main artery to the lungs, and causes continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. In other words it is the narrowing of arteries as blood vessels that carry oxygen from the right ventricle in the heart to the small arteries in the lungs. Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pains. There are no know cures as yet, but many different types of medicine have been made available to ease the suffering and help improve the muscle walls of the arteries.
There are other factors that may increase a persons chance to develop Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), these include the use of amphetamines or cocaine, HIV infections, liver diseases, and lupus. Researchers have also found that certain gene defects may cause Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). No precursor is required to develop this condition. Men and women, young children as well as some seniors of all ethnicities, can contract this disease. However, PAH usually occurs in women during their 30’s and men in their 40’s.
Many people who have PAH may not even look sick and as long as they do not over exert themselves, most will not even know they have the disease. Once someone finds out that they have pulmonary hypertension they can live with it, however regular doctor visits should be maintained. You can do exercises to reduce stress and help you relax. Walking is good for you if you are in the early stages of PAH. As the disease advances, PAH sufferers may end up in wheel chairs or even become bedridden. Those in advanced stages of PAH may have to use small oxygen bottles when the go outside the home.
Symptoms of PAH are fatigue, dizziness, racing pulse, chest pains, and swelling of the legs and/or ankles. Some will have a blue tint to their lips or skin which will typically show up in the lips first. One might even have fainting spells. Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms.
Although a cure has yet to be discovered, there are many medications that may help pulmonary hypertension. These are mainly Anticoagulants, which help reduce the blood clots in the pulmonary artery. Epoprostenol is considered the most effective medicine for widening the lung arteries, and can now be taken in the form of a nebulizer. Treprostinil relaxes the blood vessel and increases the oxygen supply to the lungs. Bosentan also reduces blood pressure and can now be taken in a pill form.
Pulmonary Hypertension may not be diagnosed right away because the initial symptoms are so incredibly similar to other heart and lung diseases; which first have to be tested and ruled out. These tests could be from echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, electrocardiogram, and pulmonary function tests. Once the results have been achieved it is very important to seek pulmonologist and/or cardiologist specialists in pulmonary vascular medicine. These specialists will assist you in treating the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension as it progresses.
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