What is Pulmonary Hypertension?
You may already be familiar with hypertension, a health condition that involves extremely high blood pressure. But have you heard of pulmonary hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is a form of hypertension, or dangerously high blood pressure, that affects the heart and lungs.
We’ll go over more about pulmonary hypertension, how to know if you may have it, how it’s treated, and how you can decrease your risk of pulmonary hypertension.
What are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?
If you know you have high blood pressure, it’s important to manage it with the help of your doctor. You should also be aware of the additional symptoms that could indicate you have pulmonary hypertension.
In addition to high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension can also cause the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Swelling around the ankles
- Heart palpitations
What Can Cause Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension can develop when there’s excessive pressure in the blood vessels between the heart and lungs. The muscles of the blood vessel walls become thicker and the pressure increases on the way to the lungs where it is normally low. The increased pressure can cause the arteries in the lungs to narrow, impeding proper blood flow.
How does this happen? Why are the muscles in the blood vessel walls increasing? Well, there are several other health conditions that can cause this to happen.
Some of the conditions that can develop into pulmonary hypertension include:
- High blood pressure
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Blood clots in the lungs
- Liver disease
- Emphysema
- Genetics
- Heart failure
Certain demographics are also at a higher risk for pulmonary hypertension:
- Women are more likely to have pulmonary hypertension than men.
- African Americans have a higher risk of pulmonary hypertension.
- People over 75 years of age have a higher chance of having pulmonary hypertension.
- It may come as a surprise, but pulmonary hypertension can affect people of all ages, including children.
If you’re predisposed to pulmonary hypertension due to genetics, the best thing you can do is implement healthy habits into your life. A family history is not a guarantee of developing a health condition, but knowing you have a higher susceptibility should provide you with the incentive you need to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Since pulmonary hypertension is not exclusive to those in their senior years, parents and grandparents should be mindful of teaching healthy habits to the young people in their lives. More children are experiencing health conditions today due to poor diet, lack of physical activity, and the stress of modern living.
Take part in healthy activities as a family. Go for walks, cook healthy meals together, and take time to wind down at the end of the day (without TV or the Internet). Setting a good example for a healthy lifestyle can help decrease your child’s risk of future health conditions.
How is Pulmonary Hypertension Treated?
Since there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, the focus will be on managing the symptoms and decreasing further complications.
The main methods used to treat pulmonary hypertension are:
- Treating underlying conditions
- Medications to manage symptoms
- Oxygen therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Surgery
Treating any underlying conditions
Would be first and foremost to help manage the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. This is the most efficient plan of action rather than treating each symptom individually. Once you get your other health conditions under control, you may see a reduction in your pulmonary hypertension symptoms.
Once your underlying conditions are diagnosed and treated, your doctor may prescribe medications to help address any symptoms that are still bothersome.
Diuretics
May be prescribed to manage swelling in the lower legs and feet.
Blood vessel dilators
May be used to help open up your blood vessels if they’re narrowed. This can help improve blood circulation between the heart and lungs.
Blood thinners
Like Warfarin may be prescribed as a preventative measure to help lower the risk of blood clots in the lungs. When your blood vessels are narrowed, blood flow can be impeded and can start to form clots.
Digoxin
May be prescribed if your heart is struggling to pump out blood efficiently. This drug may also help regulate your heart rate if you have an arrhythmia.
Oxygen therapy
Can help relieve the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension since the constricted blood vessels between the heart and lungs can decrease the amount of oxygen going to the heart. Breathing pure oxygen through a mask connected to an oxygen tank can help supply the missing oxygen and make it easier to breathe. Generally, a doctor will recommend using oxygen therapy during exercise or sleep when additional oxygen is needed most.
Surgery
may be needed if your pulmonary hypertension symptoms don’t respond to medication or lifestyle changes. Your doctor may suggest open-heart surgery, atrial septostomy, to relieve the pressure on the right side of your heart. A surgeon would create an opening between the upper chambers of your heart. In some cases, you may need a lung or heart-lung transplant. This would more often be recommended for younger patients.
How Can You Decrease Your Risk of Pulmonary Hypertension?
Making certain lifestyle changes can help decrease the chances of getting hypertension and can help alleviate the symptoms if you do have it.
Manage high blood pressure
By decreasing stress, exercising, and working with your doctor to have your condition monitored and medication prescribed if necessary.
Quit smoking
As this habit can be detrimental to the health of your heart and veins. Lung conditions caused by smoking, such as emphysema, can lead to or exacerbate pulmonary hypertension.
Rest as needed
Since the decreased oxygen to the heart can result in overwhelming fatigue.
Exercise regularly
To encourage good blood circulation. The appropriate rate of physical activity will be different for each person, depending on the severity of your pulmonary hypertension symptoms. Overexertion can trigger worsening of your symptoms so it’s best to discuss an exercise plan with your doctor that would be safe and helpful for your condition.
Eat a heart-healthy diet
To promote healthy cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood circulation. Avoid foods high in sodium since they can spike your blood pressure. Ditch the saturated fats and fried foods that can make your cholesterol skyrocket; instead, opt for healthy fats like salmon, olive oil, avocado. Increasing your intake of dark, leafy greens can help improve blood circulation and decrease the risk of blood clots.
Summary
Now you know what pulmonary hypertension is and how it can affect your physical and mental wellbeing. You also know some of the signals your body may be sending out to tell you that it needs some additional support for your cardiovascular health. Practicing healthy habits can go a long way toward improving your overall health and strengthening your heart and lungs.
While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for a strong cardiovascular system, it’s important to seek out professional care if you have a history of heart disease or experience any symptoms related to heart disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms of poor cardiovascular health that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.
