Pulmonary hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart need to work harder than normal.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension; Familial primary pulmonary hypertension; Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension; Primary pulmonary hypertension; PPH; Secondary pulmonary hypertension
Normally, the left side of the heart produces a high blood pressure in order to pump blood to the body. The right side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs under much lower pressure.
Pulmonary hypertension is usually caused by a narrowing of the small arteries of the lung. This narrowing makes it harder for the right side of the heart to circulate the blood to the lungs. Over time, the right side of the heart may become enlarged and een fail (cor pulmonale).
Pumonary hypertension may be caused by:
In many cases, the cause is unknown, in which case the condition is known as idiopathic pulmonary arteril hypertension (IPAH).
If it is caused by a known medicine or medical condition, it is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.
IPAH is rare. It affects more women than men.
A physical examination may show:
In early stages of the disease, the exam may be normal or almost normal. The condition may take several months to diagnose. Asthma causes similar symptoms and must be ruled out.
Tests may include:
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Reviewer Info: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine UMDNJ-NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 04/24/2009 |