What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Posted October 21, 2024 by Jonathan Buggey, M.D.

Have you noticed shortness of breath or wheezing during usual daily activities like climbing the stairs, running errands or exercising? While many conditions can cause it — ranging from asthma and allergies to obesity, heart disease and lung issues — shortness of breath also can be a sign of pulmonary hypertension (PH).

PH is a condition that occurs when blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries — which carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs — is too high. 

In a healthy person, the heart pumps blood into the lungs through the pulmonary arteries to get oxygen. This oxygen-rich blood then travels throughout the body to supply tissues and organs with the oxygen they need to function properly. 

However, if the pulmonary arteries become thickened, damaged, narrowed or blocked, the blood does not flow as well as it should and it increases blood pressure in the arteries, leading to PH. 

PH is dangerous because it disrupts blood flow through your heart and lungs. High blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries forces the heart to work harder than normal to pump blood into the lungs and can damage the heart over time. Left untreated, some causes of PH can be fatal. 

Summa Health sheds light on PH causes, risk factors, symptoms and treatment options because awareness is key to getting the optimal care you need. Treatment can help manage symptoms and, reverse or slow its progression so you can live a longer, higher quality life. 

Pulmonary hypertension causes

There are five main types of PH, based on the cause of the disease. It can develop on its own (unknown cause) or be caused by:

• Certain autoimmune conditions, genetics, liver disease, certain drugs
• Heart disease
• Lung disease, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema and sleep apnea
• Pulmonary embolism, which is blood clots or blockages in the pulmonary artery
• Conditions such as blood disorders, inflammatory conditions or kidney disease

PH is difficult to diagnose and can go undetected until advanced stages, leading to complex medical complications, such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure and liver damage. 

Risk factors

There are several risk factors for developing pulmonary hypertension, including:

• Your age. Most cases of PH are diagnosed between age 30 and 60.
• Being female
• Family history of PH or blood clots, or certain genetic conditions, such as congenital heart disease, lung or kidney disease
• Smoking or recreational drug use
• Being overweight or obese
• Living at high altitudes

Pulmonary hypertension symptoms

Symptoms of PH typically develop slowly over time. You may begin with shortness of breath that gradually gets worse with or without activity. As the disease progresses, you might experience additional symptoms, such as:  

• Blue or gray skin color due to low oxygen levels
• Dizziness or even fainting
• Chest pain or pressure 
• Pounding heartbeat
• Chronic fatigue
• Swollen ankles, legs or stomach
• Dry cough and wheezing

However, these symptoms are common in many other diseases, which is why PH is more difficult to diagnose.

Pulmonary hypertension treatment

Treatment is based on the cause of your PH, and many times treating any conditions that may be causing your PH can improve symptoms. 

Medications and oxygen therapy to raise the level of oxygen in your blood can help ease symptoms. Medications used to treat PH may include:

• Blood thinners
• Diuretics to reduce fluid buildup in the body
• Blood pressure meds
• Drugs to relax blood vessels of the lungs

For severe cases, a heart or lung transplant may be necessary.

Healthy lifestyle changes can help you feel better and reduce the risk of other conditions that cause the disease, such as high blood pressure, heart and liver disease, and chronic lung disease. Maintaining a healthy diet that’s low in salt and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats, regular physical activity and not using tobacco can improve your health. 

How Summa Health can help

Summa Health’s Pulmonary Hypertension/Cardiopulmonary Clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating patients with PH. For accurate diagnoses, the clinic offers a variety of testing options, including pulmonary function tests, oxygen testing, sleep studies, x-rays or CT scan of the lungs, echocardiograms or right heart catheterizations. 

The Pulmonary Hypertension/Cardiopulmonary Clinic works collaboratively with Summa Health’s pulmonary and cardiology teams and sleep medicine specialists to offer optimal care for patients with a variety of conditions that cause PH. 

To schedule an appointment or learn more about Summa Health’s Pulmonary Hypertension/Cardiopulmonary Clinic, call 330.319.9700.

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