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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs. PH can affect both men and women of all ages and races.
When the pressures in the lungs are high, it causes the right side of the heart to work harder.
Although it is a relatively uncommon disease, it's important to make an early and accurate diagnosis. Left untreated, this condition can lead to right heart failure and increased risk of death.
Many different factors can cause PH such as:
There are many types of PH.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
PH due to left heart disease
Pulmonary hypertension due to chronic blood clots (CTEPH)
Other causes
Treatment options vary depending on the type of PH.
Starting pulmonary hypertension treatment early is important in improving overall quality of life.
To make an appointment at the UPMC Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Program, contact us at:
PH symptoms can include:
Making the diagnosis of PH begins with reviewing symptoms and doing tests.
Common tests for PH include:
Transthoracic echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart.
It is a good test for:
If this test is positive or if there is a high suspicion of PH, often the PH specialist will perform a right heart catheterization.
Right heart catheterization is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. Doctors use a catheter to measure the pressure in the heart and lungs.
In this procedure, the patient has local numbing medicine.
Then, the PH specialist will:
If the doctor suspects left heart disease, sometimes a patient may have a left heart catheterization at the same time. This examines the arteries of the heart for blockages and measures pressures on the left side of the heart.
Other tests for diagnosing PH include:
To make an appointment at the UPMC Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Program, contact us at:
Although there is no cure to date, there are several medical and surgical treatments for PH.
Pulmonary hypertension treatment depends on the type and severity of disease.
For pulmonary arterial hypertension, there are currently 12 FDA-approved medicines on the market.
And, for those who do not respond to medical therapy, surgical treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension include:
While it can take weeks to months to notice a significant improvement with medical therapy, it is important to follow up closely with your PH specialist to make sure that there is improvement.
Patients will follow up within three months of their diagnosis.
If they are doing well, they will follow up every six to 12 months for continued monitoring of their disease.
Follow up can involve repeat testing including:
Starting PH treatment early is important in improving overall quality of life.
To schedule an appointment at the UPMC Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Program, contact us at:
