Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies in which real people participate as volunteers. These trials help researchers develop new treatments and medications for diseases and conditions.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Protect your heart from the effects of high blood pressure
Pulmonary hypertension happens when the blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to your lungs from your heart becomes too high.
High blood pressure makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood to your lungs, which in turn weakens your heart. If your heart becomes too weak, you may develop congestive heart failure, the leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The only treatment for heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension is a heart-lung transplant.
Causes
High blood pressure can be inherited, meaning it runs in your family. It may also be caused by:
- Blood clotting disorders
- Drug use
- Heart disease
- HIV
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
Symptoms
Signs of pulmonary hypertension include:
- Chest pain
- Decreased appetite
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Racing pulse
- Shortness of breath during regular activities
Overview
High blood pressure makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood to your lungs, which in turn weakens your heart. If your heart becomes too weak, you may develop congestive heart failure, the leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The only treatment for heart failure caused by pulmonary hypertension is a heart-lung transplant.
Causes
High blood pressure can be inherited, meaning it runs in your family. It may also be caused by:
- Blood clotting disorders
- Drug use
- Heart disease
- HIV
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
Symptoms
Signs of pulmonary hypertension include:
- Chest pain
- Decreased appetite
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Racing pulse
- Shortness of breath during regular activities
Pulmonary hypertension is diagnosed through electrocardiograms (EKGs), pulmonary function tests and chest imaging techniques like CT scans or cardiac catheterizations. Extensive testing may be done to determine the cause of your pulmonary hypertension.
Diagnosis
Pulmonary hypertension is diagnosed through electrocardiograms (EKGs), pulmonary function tests and chest imaging techniques like CT scans or cardiac catheterizations. Extensive testing may be done to determine the cause of your pulmonary hypertension.
It is important to treat pulmonary hypertension early to help your heart stay strong. In most cases, the best way to treat pulmonary hypertension is by managing the disease that is causing it. IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care physicians will work together with other specialists, such as cardiologists, hepatologists or nephrologists, and your primary care physician to develop your treatment plan.
Depending on what is causing your pulmonary hypertension, your treatment may include:
Pulmonary Hypertension Education
IU Health physicians help you make lifestyle changes that benefit your condition, including a healthy diet and exercise.
Medicine Therapy
Certain medications lower blood pressure and improve the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.
Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen therapy may help your body perform better by providing concentrated doses of oxygen.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
During pulmonary rehabilitation, you will learn breathing exercises and techniques that increase lung function.
Right Heart Catheterization
This minimally invasive procedure gives a close up look at how well the right side of your heart works, which is most affected by pulmonary hypertension.
Heart-lung Transplant
In severe cases of pulmonary hypertension, a heart-lung transplant may be necessary. IU Health is the only healthcare system in Indiana to perform heart-lung transplants.
Clinical Trials
IU Health pulmonologists conduct research and clinical trials that give you access to the latest treatments.
Treatment
It is important to treat pulmonary hypertension early to help your heart stay strong. In most cases, the best way to treat pulmonary hypertension is by managing the disease that is causing it. IU Health Pulmonology & Respiratory Care physicians will work together with other specialists, such as cardiologists, hepatologists or nephrologists, and your primary care physician to develop your treatment plan.
Depending on what is causing your pulmonary hypertension, your treatment may include:
Pulmonary Hypertension Education
IU Health physicians help you make lifestyle changes that benefit your condition, including a healthy diet and exercise.
Medicine Therapy
Certain medications lower blood pressure and improve the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.
Oxygen Therapy
Oxygen therapy may help your body perform better by providing concentrated doses of oxygen.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
During pulmonary rehabilitation, you will learn breathing exercises and techniques that increase lung function.
Right Heart Catheterization
This minimally invasive procedure gives a close up look at how well the right side of your heart works, which is most affected by pulmonary hypertension.
Heart-lung Transplant
In severe cases of pulmonary hypertension, a heart-lung transplant may be necessary. IU Health is the only healthcare system in Indiana to perform heart-lung transplants.
Clinical Trials
IU Health pulmonologists conduct research and clinical trials that give you access to the latest treatments.
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
This National Institutes of Health website features information on all aspects of pulmonary hypertension, from risk factors to diagnosis to clinical trials.
American Lung Association
This website provides in-depth resources as well as information on living with pulmonary hypertension.
American Heart Association
This website hosts information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Resources
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
This National Institutes of Health website features information on all aspects of pulmonary hypertension, from risk factors to diagnosis to clinical trials.
American Lung Association
This website provides in-depth resources as well as information on living with pulmonary hypertension.
American Heart Association
This website hosts information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.