Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in lungs and the right side of heart. In one form of pulmonary hypertension, tiny arteries in lungs, called pulmonary arterioles, and capillaries become narrowed, blocked or destroyed. This makes it harder for blood to flow through lungs, and raises pressure within lungs' arteries. As the pressure builds, the heart's lower right chamber (right ventricle) must work harder to pump blood through the lungs, eventually causing heart muscle to weaken and fail

Each form of Pulmonary hypertension is different, so it is important for newly-diagnosed patients to find a Pulmonary hypertension specialist who can accurately find what is causing their Pulmonary hypertension and develop a treatment plan that is right for that specific type of Pulmonary hypertension as soon as possible. Every person with pulmonary hypertension is different, and new research is being conducted every day with the potential to improve the outlook for people living with this disease. Once in the care of a pulmonary hypertension treating health care team and on appropriate therapy, people with pulmonary hypertension can live many years.