Pulmonary Hypertension (PH)
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease that causes elevated blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and possible failure of the right side of the heart (right-ventricular dysfunction). In many cases, early detection of high blood pressure can help prevent full-blown hypertension.
PH is defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure in the lungs that is greater than 25 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Normal blood pressure in the lungs is around 15 mmHg.
PH may be idiopathic (of unknown cause), hereditary, or associated with underlying autoimmune (rheumatologic), cardiac, hepatic (liver), or pulmonary diseases.
A comprehensive PH program
While the evaluation of affected patients is complex, the UPMC Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Program, one of the largest in the country, offers people with PH access to state-of-the-art diagnostics, therapeutics, and opportunities to participate in clinical research.
Our specialists in cardiology, pulmonary and critical care medicine, and transplant medicine work together to ensure that the full range of medical and surgical options is available for each patient.
This unique, integrated approach to care benefits patients from the time of their initial evaluation, which can normally take place on a single day and in one location.
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