Pulmonary Hypertension What Is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Woman sitting on a bench with her hand on her chest Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs is higher than normal. One type of pulmonary hypertension is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Pulmonary hypertension can happen on its own or be caused by another disease or condition. In the United States, the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension is left heart disease, such as left heart failure. There are several other medical conditions and environmental factors that can increase the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension.

If you have pulmonary hypertension, your heart has to work harder to pump blood into the lungs. This increase in pressure can damage your heart. It can also cause other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness. Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and health history before conducting tests to diagnose pulmonary hypertension.

Treatments for pulmonary hypertension will depend on the cause of the condition. Many times, there is not a cure for pulmonary hypertension, but your healthcare provider can work with you to manage the symptoms. This may include medicine or healthy lifestyle changes.

Last updated on March 24, 2022