Men's Health: What is Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is a kind of high blood pressure impacting the arteries on the right side of the heart and within the lungs. It begins when the arteries and capillaries become narrower, blocked or destroyed, creating blood flow difficulties that raise pressure and force the heart's right ventricle to work much harder to force blood through the lungs.
A serious and potentially fatal illness, pulmonary hypertension usually becomes progressively worse, as it weakens the heart over time. Fortunately, you can lesson symptoms and improve your quality of life by receiving early treatment.
What's the Cause?
A number of secondary factors can increase a person's risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, including sleep apnea, emphysema, AIDS, chronic liver disease, high altitude climbing or hiking, congenital heart defects and the use of certain stimulant drugs, such as cocaine. That said, some people develop the illness unexpectedly either due to genetic causes or for no apparent reason at all.
What Are the Risks?
Pulmonary hypertension can lead to a number of complications, including blood clots, internal bleeding, irregular heartbeats and even heart failure. For this reason, it's important to seek a medical evaluation if you demonstrate any potential symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms?
Pulmonary hypertension symptoms may take months or years to develop. Once they do, however, patients may experience the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting or dizziness
- Unexplained fatigue
- Chest pain or pressure
- Bluish skin or lips
- Swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen due to edema
- Heart palpitations or racing pulse
What Is the Treatment?
Pulmonary hypertension can be treated in a number of ways, depending on the progression of the illness and the health of the patient. Blood vessel dilators, endothelin receptor antagonists, anticoagulants, diuretics, oxygen and high-dose calcium channel blockers can be very helpful in many people. When medications are unable to control the condition, however, patients may require surgery or transplantation.
As with most health issues, early detection can play a significant role in determining your outlook. If you show potential signs of pulmonary hypertension, visit your physician for a thorough examination.
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