Pulmonary Hypertension – Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis
Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms
The arteries in the lungs and right side of your heart experience high blood pressure known as pulmonary hypertension. When arteries in the lungs get blocked or narrowed due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the blood flow through the lungs slows down – and therefore, blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs increases. Your heart pumps blood through the lungs with an extra effort which may eventually cause the heart muscles to become weak and fail. At times pulmonary hypertension may become worse and prove life-threatening. However, treatment can help reduce the symptoms
What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive and slowly developing condition. The signs and symptoms develop slowly. In the beginning, even for a few months or years, symptoms are not noticeable. As the disease progresses, the symptoms may get worse. The typical signs and symptoms associated with the condition include the following:
- Palpitations (pounding or fast pulse)
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fatigue
- Syncope (fainting spells) or dizziness
- Cyanosis (bluish skin and lips)
- Edema (in the legs, ankles, and also the abdomen (Ascites)
What are the causes of pulmonary hypertension?
Arterial walls in the lungs may become thick, swollen, and stiff due to changes in the cells of the arteries. Blocked pulmonary arteries slow down blood flow through the lungs leading to pulmonary hypertension. Depending on the cause, pulmonary hypertension is classified into five types:
- Pulmonary hypertension due to left-sided heart disease – It is due to an aortic heart valve or mitral valve disease or problems with the left ventricle.
- PAH (Pulmonary arterial hypertension) – It can be due to the use of some prescription medicines; congenital heart disease; connective tissue disorders (lupus, scleroderma); chronic liver disease, and HIV infections. PAH may also be due to an unknown cause.
- Pulmonary hypertension due to clotting disorders and formation of blood clots in the lungs – Pulmonary embolism.
- Other conditions triggering pulmonary hypertension – are blood disorders (essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera) and kidney disease; glycogen storage disease (metabolic disorder); sarcoidosis and vasculitis (inflammatory disorders) and tumors pressing against pulmonary arteries
- Pulmonary hypertension due to lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis), COPD, and obstructive sleep apnea
Other causes of Pulmonary Hypertension
Eisenmenger syndrome and pulmonary hypertension – It is a congenital heart condition due to a large hole (ventricular septal defect) in the lower heart chambers (ventricles) of the heart.
People living at higher altitudes are at increased risk of pulmonary hypertension.
What are the risk factors for pulmonary hypertension?
The following factors increase the risk
- Living at high altitudes
- Obesity (being overweight)
- A family history of the disease
- Drugs abuse (cocaine use)
- Congenital heart disease
- Exposure to asbestos
- Blood clotting disorders
- Weight loss drugs use
- Use of drugs used to treat anxiety and depression
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is often difficult to diagnose in the beginning due to either lack of symptoms or symptoms showing similarities with other heart and lung conditions. Even in the most advanced stages, its symptoms are similar to symptoms of other heart conditions.
An experienced cardiologist will perform a physical examination and ask a few questions while reviewing your symptoms and medical history. The doctor may order blood tests, chest X-rays, ECG, and echocardiogram. To confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, your cardiologist performs right heart catheterization. This procedure helps your cardiologist directly measure the pressure in the main pulmonary artery. In addition, your cardiologist may also recommend a CT, MRI, pulmonary function test, and sleep studies (polysomnogram) to detect the cause of pulmonary hypertension.
Treatment for pulmonary hypertension
If any underlying disease or another condition is responsible for pulmonary hypertension, then treatment is directed to treat it. Doctors often take time to find an appropriate treatment. Most of the therapies and treatments are often complex and thus require extensive follow-up care. Treatment is helpful for improving the signs and symptoms and slowing down the progress of the disease.