What causes pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure that occurs in the arteries serving your lungs. The condition can affect the large artery that carries blood from the heart to your lungs, and the small arteries that deliver blood to tissues inside your lungs.
Your genetics and many health conditions may lead to pulmonary hypertension, including:
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Sleep apnea
- Interstitial lung disease
- Connective tissue diseases
- Heart failure
- Sarcoidosis
- Heart valve diseases
- Chronic kidney failure
- Liver disease
- Sickle cell disease
Tiny nodules of sarcoidosis can develop in many different parts of your body, but the condition most often affects your lungs. At Healing Lungs in Conroe, Texas, pulmonologist Raees Ahmed, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating this complex condition, providing close monitoring of your health and personalized treatment to relieve your symptoms. To prevent lung and heart complications, call the office or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment.
Certain medications and smoking may increase your risk of developing pulmonary hypertension.
What symptoms develop due to pulmonary hypertension?
The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension often start out as mild and generic, so they’re easy to ignore or to confuse with other health problems. As your symptoms develop, you experience one or more of the following:
- Chest pain
- Cough (dry or produces blood)
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
Your abdomen, legs, or feet may become swollen due to fluid accumulation. In the early stages, shortness of breath occurs when you’re active. As the disease worsens, you may be short of breath even when resting.
How do you treat pulmonary hypertension?
Early treatment is important to prevent complications. Severe pulmonary hypertension can cause blood clots or bleeding in your lungs. Your heart is also affected by this condition.
As pressure increases in the pulmonary arteries, the right side of your heart works harder to pump blood into your lungs. Over time, this leads to heart arrhythmias and heart failure.
There’s no cure for pulmonary hypertension, but Dr. Ahmed can help control your symptoms with a customized treatment that includes:
Medications
Dr. Ahmed may prescribe blood thinners, diuretics, and one of many medications that help to improve blood flow, lower pressure in the pulmonary arteries, and improve the heart’s ability to pump blood.
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy helps if your blood oxygen levels are low, and when your pulmonary hypertension is due to lung disease.
Lifestyle changes
Narrowing of the arteries and inflammation often contribute to pulmonary hypertension. Changes in your dietary and exercise habits can help treat conditions that cause these problems, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
When you develop symptoms associated with pulmonary hypertension, call Healing Lungs, or schedule an appointment online.
