Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure between the lungs and the heart. It is a severe condition that can ruin the right side of the heart. The arteries that carry blood from your heart to your lungs become hard and narrow. The low blood flow makes it stiff for the right side of the heart.
The right side of your heart has to work too hard constantly. This side can gradually face weakness, and heart failure problems occur in your body. Pulmonary hypertension condition can affect people of all ages and it is a general issue in people who have another situation of heart or lung. The additional stress ultimately causes the heart muscles to become weak and fail.
If you diagnose and treat in time you can protect your life from this danger and lead an enjoyable life. Pulmonary arteries stop the flow of blood between your heart and lungs. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can directly attack your body through anemia, irregular heartbeat, right-side heart enlargement, blood clots, etc.
Pulmonary hypertension is fatal for women who are in the condition of pregnancy.
If you do not take any immediate steps, (PH) can be harmful and eventually be dangerous for your heart. Hence it is important to consult a Pulmonologist in Lahore before your condition gets worse.
Causes
The blood generally flows without any hurdle through blood vessels and rotates to the other side of the heart. Things which can more up the causes and risks of pulmonary hypertension include:
1- Unnecessary weight gain
2- Exhibit asbestos(a disease of the lungs)
3- Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine
4- Heart disease from the mother’s womb
The normal heart is divided into two chambers. One is the upper chamber and the second is the lower chamber. Every time blood rotates through the heart with the help of a large blood artery. The blood discharges carbon dioxide and gets oxygen into the lungs.
Often, doctors do not understand the reason for high blood pressure in the lungs. In this situation, the position is called idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Lack of oxygen in the blood makes the arteries thick and narrow.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath or carelessness during activity is often the first symptom. The signs of pulmonary hypertension increase stage by stage. These effects of symptoms last for months and years.
Some symptoms are mentioned here:
1- Feeling chest pressure or pain
2- Dizziness
3- Tiredness
4- Bluish lips and skin
5- Fast pulse
6- Swelling in the belly area, legs, and ankles
Acute pulmonary edema causes forceful breathing difficulties and can show without warning. This is an emergency and needs urgent medical attention. Without appropriate treatment and support, it can be ruinous.
You can confront these symptoms during climbing steps or grocery shopping. You feel a shortage of breath when you work out.
Later symptoms of pulmonary hypertension:
As (PH) develops, you will feel shortness of breath even when you are not moving around.
Some later symptoms are here:
1- Fainting
2-Fatigue
3- Feeling less hunger
4- Pain in your tummy
Treatment:
Treatment can break your symptoms by managing your condition If the cause is initially determined and treated, it may be possible to prevent adversity to your pulmonary arteries.
If blood clots are caused by pulmonary vessels, you can utilize the drugs which can reduce pulmonary hypertension.
- Diuretics water tablets
- Digoxin
- Epoprostenol(Flolan)
- Treatment of oxygen
These are special treatments for (PH) that relax the arteries in the lungs. Above the medicines down the growth of (PH).
Some other drugs are useful in this disease:
- Bosentan
- Ambrisentan
- Iloprost
- Riociguat
- Nifedipine
- Amlodipine.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are the most effective drugs that relax the muscles in the wall of blood veins. Your doctor will examine and revise your symptoms. He may ask a question about your medical history.
The following tests help diagnose this disease.
- blood test
- chest X-ray
- magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)
- ventilation scan
- pulmonary function test
- computerized tomography
Surgery
Surgery is usually the last resort for patients who have more intense pulmonary hypertension and are not recovered from medications or treatments.
Precautions:
These points can improve your wellness.
- Avoid climbing heights
- Focus on physical activity
- Abstain to become pregnant.
- Eat grains, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
You can consult a Pulmonologist in Karachi through oladoc for an expert opinion.