You’re probably familiar with high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Have you ever heard of pulmonary hypertension?
If it sounds a little different, that’s because it is. High blood pressure occurs when blood is moving through blood vessels forcefully—in other words, with a lot of pressure. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when blood is hitting the pulmonary arteries, the tiny blood vessels in the lungs.
Unlike regular hypertension, which is incredibly common, pulmonary hypertension is rare. Nearly half of all adults in the United States have hypertension, adding up to approximately 118 million people, but only about 1 percent of people worldwide have pulmonary hypertension.
Though the condition is rare, it can have a serious impact on those who develop it. High blood pressure in the lungs requires the heart to work harder to pump blood into the lungs. This can cause strain on the heart and lead to heart failure.
Pulmonary hypertension can also cause health issues in other parts of the body, including liver damage, blood clots, and anemia. It can be especially dangerous during pregnancy, causing complications for both mother and child.
The Different Types of Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension means that blood pressure in the lungs is too high, but how did it get that way? There are five categories of pulmonary hypertension, divided by what causes the hypertension:
- Group 1 is caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension. This condition causes the pulmonary arteries to narrow or stiffen, making it harder for blood to flow through them. This increases blood pressure.
- Group 2 is caused by left-sided heart disease. The left side of your heart is responsible for pumping blood out into the body. When it’s damaged or impaired, blood backs up into your heart, rather than out into the body, increasing blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
- Group 3 is caused by lung disease or hypoxia, which is insufficient oxygen in tissue. Both can cause the lungs to tighten up, limiting the amount of blood flowing through them and raising blood pressure.
- Group 4 is caused by blockages in the lungs. Blood clots and related scarring can keep blood from flowing efficiently through the lungs. This stresses the right side of the heart and increases pulmonary blood pressure.
- Group 5 is caused by other disorders, such as blood disorders or metabolic disorders. In many cases, it’s unclear why these conditions cause high pulmonary blood pressure.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease, meaning it typically worsens over time. While there’s no curative treatment for PAH, treatment can help slow the progress of the disease and alleviate symptoms.
The Signs & Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension varies in severity, with class 1 causing no symptoms and class 4 causing symptoms even when you’re at rest. Symptoms can include:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the abdomen or lower extremities
- Weakness
- Wheezing
The cough caused by pulmonary hypertension can be dry, meaning it doesn’t produce mucus, or wet and occasionally blood-tinged.
Many of the symptoms of this disease are similar to symptoms caused by other, less serious health conditions, such as asthma. If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s best to check in with a medical provider, who can provide you with an accurate diagnosis.
How Pulmonary Hypertension Is Diagnosed & Treated
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may be related to pulmonary hypertension, your primary care provider will refer you to a pulmonologist, who specializes in conditions affecting the lungs.
Diagnosis of the condition is made when tests show you have high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. Most commonly, blood pressure is checked using either cardiac catheterization or echocardiography.
Normal pulmonary blood pressure ranges from 11 to 20 mmHg. A reading of 25 mmHg or higher during cardiac catheterization or 35 mmHg on an echocardiogram is suggestive of pulmonary hypertension.
Other tools, including blood tests, heart or lung imaging, and electrocardiogram, may be used to confirm a diagnosis and determine the specific type of pulmonary hypertension.
Treatment for the condition depends on what’s causing it and may include:
- Medications to prevent blood clots, relax blood vessels, and/or control how fast the heart pumps
- Oxygen therapy if oxygen levels are low
- Procedures to decrease pressure, either in the right heart chambers or in the pulmonary arteries, or to remove blood clots causing hypertension
Along with these treatment options, your treatment plan may also include recommendations for lifestyle changes that can protect the heart and lungs, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.
If pulmonary hypertension is caused by another medical condition, treatment may also include medication and other therapies to treat that underlying health issue.
Breathe easier knowing that West Tennessee Medical Group offers a team of experienced pulmonologists to diagnose and treat conditions related to the lungs. To find a provider, click here or call 731-422-7900.
