Pulmonary Hypertension Specialist

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a high blood pressure condition that affects the lungs and the heart.

The condition causes the arteries in your lungs to narrow, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow through them. This also puts more pressure on your heart’s right chamber, as it must exert more effort to pump blood through the lungs. Eventually, this can cause damage to the heart muscle.

What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?

There are several hallmark symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, although some patients may not experience any signs at all. If you have the condition, you might notice:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue, especially while exercising or exerting yourself
• Pressure or pain in the chest area
• Swelling of the ankles or legs
• Bluish color on the lips or skin

People with pulmonary hypertension might also experience heart palpitations.

What causes pulmonary hypertension?

Several factors can lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension. Some of the most common causes of the condition include:

• Gene mutations
• Prescription drugs
• Heart abnormalities
• Lung conditions
• Blood disorders or blood clots
• Tumors

Pulmonary hypertension is more likely if you’re overweight, or if you have a family history of the condition. It’s also more common in cocaine users or in people who take appetite suppressants.

How is pulmonary hypertension treated?

Treatment for pulmonary hypertension begins with a series of diagnostic tests, which may include a chest X-ray, an MRI, a CT scan, or blood work. Once our provider has diagnosed the cause of your condition, you’ll begin a customized treatment plan. This may include medications like:

• Blood vessel dilators
• Calcium channel blockers
• Anticoagulants
• Oxygen therapy

In some cases, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the heart or to carry out a lung transplant. Some patients might also need to execute lifestyle strategies to support better heart and lung health, too, like smoking cessation or dietary modifications.

With the care of the expert team at Maiden Lane Medical, you can treat the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension and restore your long-term health and well-being.

To schedule a personalized consultation at Maiden Lane Medical in, New York, call the office or book an appointment online today.