Pulmonary Hypertension, as the name implies, is a condition marked by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, and also the right side of the heart. Since the functioning of lungs and heart are closely related, Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) has long-term implications on cardiovascular health as well. It can cause a range of serious complications if not treated in time. While some types of PH do not have a cure, the symptoms can be managed so that the patient leads a normal life.
The Pulmonary Artery supplies blood to the lungs for its own working as well as for purification of impure blood collected from rest of the body. The Pulmonary artery in turn branches into various capillaries inside the lungs. The Pulmonary Artery (PA) has a central tube called lumen, through which the blood flows, surrounded by layers of muscles that expand and contract in order to push the blood.
In some people, the cells of the lining of the arteries become thick, swollen and stiff. The thickened cells gradually constrict the artery. This increases the pressure in the PA. Since not enough blood is reaching the lungs, the heart pumps harder to make up for this. This again increases the pressure in the PA. The constant strain on the heart to pump harder weakens the heart muscles. If left untreated, this can cause a vicious cycle of increased blood pressure and weakened heart muscles. This is the most common type of PH called as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension or PAH.
Most often, the cause for PAH described above, is unknown (called idiopathic PAH). In many cases, its inherited. Heart conditions present since birth (congenital heart disease) can also trigger PAH later on. Connective tissue disorders such as lupus and scleroderma, viral infections such as HIV and chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) are risk factors for PAH. Prescription diet drugs and illicit drugs such as methamphetamines increase the risk for PAH.
Diseases of the mitral valve and aortic valve can trigger PAH. Failure of the left ventricle to pump blood can lead to heart failure or PAH.
There are smaller arteries and capillaries inside the lungs and these can develop a condition similar to PAH. Causes for this can be lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), sleep apnea and Pulmonary fibrosis where there is scarring in the interstitial cells of the lungs (air sacs). People who live in high-altitude destinations like hill-stations that have lower oxygen levels are at the risk of developing PH.
Blood clots formed in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or clots that form in other parts of the body and carried by blood to the lungs, can trigger a phase of PH, till the clots are removed.
Chronic Kidney disease can lead to build-up of fluids and toxins in the blood eventually triggering PH. Tumors in the heart or lung that press on the PA create a situation similar to PAH. Sarcoidosis is a condition in which inflammatory cells accumulate in the eyes, skin, lymph nodes and lungs, increasing the risk of PH. Vasculitis is an inflammation of blood vessels which causes them to thicken and when they occur in the arteries of the lungs, it causes PH. Polycythemia Vera is a type of blood cancer that caused blood clots which heighten the risk of PH. Essential thrombocytosis (ET), or primary thrombocythemia is a condition where the body produces too many platelets which increases the risk of blood clots and hence PH. Glycogen storage disease, a rare condition in which the way the body uses and stores glycogen, a form of sugar, gets altered, increasing the risk of PH. Eisenmenger syndrome is a congenital condition caused by a heart condition called as ventricular septal defect. One of the consequences is PH.
A wide array of tests is conducted to check for heart, lung and other complications which may be causing PH.
If you or any of your dear ones are showing symptoms of PH, do not panic. Rush to a reputed hospital. A pulmonologist or cardiologist will conduct the above tests to confirm or rule out PH and determine severity. Specialists will then choose the right course of treatment for quick recovery and rehabilitation.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
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