Pulmonary Hypertension

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

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.

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.