Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is different than regular high blood pressure (ordinary hypertension). It is a kind of hypertension that usually affects the right side of the heart and the arteries (blood vessels) in the lungs. In other words, this type of hypertension affects the blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs. And there are some pulmonary hypertension symptoms and risk factors, let’s explore more!
What is pulmonary hypertension?
Before discussing more about some factors/conditions that can put you at higher risk of having PH, and signs/symptoms of PH -- it’s much better to clearly understand what actually PH is?!
You might also like to know more about treatment options and life expectancy for pulmonary fibrosis, before continuing!
This disease usually begins/starts when capillaries and pulmonary arteries (tiny arteries in the lungs) become destroyed/blocked/narrowed. These conditions will lead to problems associated with blood flow to the lungs, particularly the enhancement of the blood pressure in the lung’s arteries.
The increasing pressure can make the right ventricle (lower right chamber of the heart) work more hardly in pumping the blood to the lungs, which then finally will cause the weaken & failure of the heart muscle (or familiar known as heart failure).
Untreated pulmonary hypertension can be a serious illness. PH also can affect the everyday life of patients which then also can increase their risk of having depression. Heart failure in people with pulmonary hypertension can result potentially life-threatening.
Risk factors and types of pulmonary hypertension
There are some types of pulmonary hypertension which include:
Secondary PH!
It is the most common type of pulmonary hypertension that is usually caused by some medical problems or other health conditions. This type is relatively common in older adults or elderly people.
And the following some factors or medical problems that are often associated with secondary pulmonary hypertension:
- Use of stimulant cocaine or other certain drugs.
- If the area where you live is higher than 2,438 meters or 8,000 ft.
- Certain diseases associated with lungs, like pulmonary fibrosis.
- Cirrhosis (a kind of chronic liver disease).
- Heart problems/abnormalities at birth.
- Lupus or scleroderma or other connective tissue disorders.
- And other health conditions may include stickle cell anemia, emphysema, AIDs, sleep disorders, and pulmonary emboli.
Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPH)!
It is usually more common in young people. IPH is also familiar term used to call a condition when an underlying cause for high pressure level of blood pressure in the lung’s arteries cannot be found.
Many experts believe that the inherited gene has a big role in developing IPH. So, if you have a family member with IPH, you may have higher risk to have the same condition -- talk more with your doctor. And IPH is relatively more common in women than in men!
Pulmonary hypertension symptoms (signs)
At the early stage, the symptoms of PH are more likely to be unnoticeable, and as the disease progress you then will experience these symptoms.
The shortness breath (difficulties to breathe) with exertion is usually the most common symptom. This symptom usually develops gradually. Initially it occurs while doing an exercise and then eventually also can occur while at rest.
Other signs of pulmonary hypertension may include:
- Edema (swelling in the legs). At the severe stage, edema also can occur in the abdomen.
- Chest pain or chest pressure.
- Heart palpitations.
- Changes in color (bluish color) of the skin & lips.
- Dizziness and extreme fatigue.
- Patient may also experience ‘feeling faint’.
Prognosis of pulmonary hypertension
The prognosis of secondary pulmonary hypertension is slightly better than the prognosis of IPH. In line with time and treatment, some known conditions that cause pulmonary hypertension may improve and this good thing to reduce/treat the pulmonary hypertension symptoms!
On the other hand, for primary pulmonary hypertension or IPH is a progressive health condition, and the symptoms are more likely to be steadily worsen with the time -- talk more with a doctor for more in-depth information and more advices!
In addition, read also the previous posts about low blood pressure treatment and high blood pressure treatment!
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Reference: MayoClinic and WebMD
Image credit to ‘shutterstock’ for illustration
