Heart & Circulatory Health Data Verified

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Types, Causes, and Diagnosis

Creator: Dr. Muhammad Zohaib Siddiq
Published: 2022-11-23T10:48:37-04:00

Written by

and medically reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Zohaib Siddiq

Published on Nov 23, 2022 - 5 min read

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a disease that damages the blood vessels of the lungs and the heart. Read below to know more.

Contents

What Are the Types of Pulmonary Hypertension?

How Does Blood Flow From the Heart to the Lungs and Vice Versa?

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?

What Are the Factors That Influence Pulmonary Hypertension?

What Causes Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

How Is the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension Made?

Introduction

Pulmonary hypertension or PHT refers to high blood pressure in the heart that passes down to the lung responsible for delivering fresh or oxygenated blood to the heart and returning deoxygenated or oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs. Systemic blood pressure is a reading of the pressure exerted by the continuous pumping of the heart. The heart pumps blood and gushes blood within the arteries of the body. On the other hand, pulmonary hypertension refers to the pressure exerted by the blood vessels that connect the lungs.

What Are the Types of Pulmonary Hypertension?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed four categories of pulmonary arterial hypertension, as mentioned below.

Group 1 is a kind of pulmonary arterial hypertension with no cause and may be inherited. At times, this kind of pulmonary arterial hypertension may result from connective tissue disorders, body infections such as the human immune virus, sickle cell disease, liver abnormality, congenital heart disease, and the influence of certain medications.
Group 2 is a kind of pulmonary arterial hypertension that develops due to a disease in the heart's mitral valve. The left side of the heart is most commonly affected by group 2 pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Group 3 is a kind of pulmonary arterial hypertension that leads to certain issues of the lungs, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD, as well as sleep apnea and interstitial lung diseases. Several other naso-oral conditions may also be developed over time.
Group 4 is a kind of pulmonary arterial hypertension that directly results from blood clots within the lungs.
Group 5 is a kind of pulmonary arterial hypertension triggered by an underlying disease. Mentioned below are a few of the trigger factors of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Polycythemia vera.
Thrombocytopenia.
Thrombocythemia.
Vasculitis.
Sarcoidosis.
Thyroid.
Kidney diseases.
Tumor.
Glycogen storage disorders.

How Does Blood Flow From the Heart to the Lungs and Vice Versa?

The heart has four chambers- two upper sections, the right atrium, and left atrium, and two lower sections, the right ventricle and left ventricles. Parallel to four chambers, the heart has four valves: mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves. The mitral or bicuspid valve allows blood to flow smoothly from the left atrium into the left ventricle. It has two leaflets. The tricuspid valve allows blood to flow easily from the right atrium into the right ventricle. It has three leaflets. The pulmonary valve primarily allows smooth blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery. It has three leaflets.

The steps of blood flow from the heart to the lungs are mentioned below.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?

The clinical manifestations of pulmonary hypertension can be understood if the patient reveals a few or all of the below-mentioned signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.

Shortness of breath.
Fatigue.
Chest pain.
Increase in heart rate.
Pain in the right upper side of the abdomen.
Loss of appetite.
Feeling light-headed.
Dizziness during physical activities.
Fainting.
Swelling of the ankles or legs.
Bluish discoloration of the lips.
Cyanosis.
Asthma

What Are the Factors That Influence Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure of the arteries that connect the lungs and the heart is met.

A few of the factors that influence pulmonary hypertension are mentioned below.

Age
Fitness level.
Physical activeness.
Smoking.
Presence of cardiovascular disease.
High cholesterol.
Diabetes mellitus.
Air temperature.
Standing up.
Lying down.
Emotions.
Body size.
Medications.

What Causes Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

An increase in the blood pressure of the arteries connecting the heart and the lungs may result from a range of activities as well as physiological disturbances.

Below are a few possible reasons that may result in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Aging.
Stress.
Obesity.
Drinking coffee.
Smoking.
Pregnancy.
Standing up all of a sudden.
Intense physical activity.
Drinking alcohol.
Living in a tropical country.
Certain medications.
Drugs.
Anxiety.
Issues with the heart's conduction system.
Fear.
Anemia.
Infection.
Elevated thyroid hormone.
Dehydration.
Stress.
Fever.

How Is the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension Made?

To diagnose a case of pulmonary hypertension, the healthcare provider may ask about the signs and symptoms and the risk factors, including medical conditions. Being aware of the family history is also necessary.

Mentioned below are a few diagnostic measures that the health care professional may conduct to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary arterial blood pressure.

Medical evaluation.
Echocardiography.
Chest X-ray.
Electrocardiogram.
Catheterization of the heart.
Chest CT scan.
Chest MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
Lung function tests.
Polysomnogram or PSG.
Lung ventilation.
Perfusion scan.
Complete blood picture.

Conclusion

Pulmonary arterial hypertension has no definite cure. Individuals can live a fulfilled life with this condition, provided the prescribed medications and lifestyle habits are within limits. Pulmonary arterial hypertension requires strict management. An individual that is suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension must quit smoking. They must eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in cholesterol, sugar, and sodium. Maintaining the ideal weight is an added key factor to optimum levels of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension a Fatal Condition?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition of elevated blood pressure affecting the lungs and heart arteries. Pulmonary hypertension worsens and becomes potentially life-threatening with time. In cases of no treatment, this can lead to heart failure, and that can be fatal.

2. Is There a Cure for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

There is no complete cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, the symptoms can be reduced with the appropriate treatment. In addition, the medications will help manage the condition. Early diagnosis and intervention serve as the key to the prevention of permanent deterioration of the pulmonary arteries.

3. What Is the Average Survival Rate of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition of elevated blood pressure affecting the arteries of the lungs and heart. The prognosis of the disease, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, is poor and unfavorable. The mean survival rate of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension is about two to three years from the time of diagnosis.

4. Should One Worry About Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension can be effectively managed with the appropriate treatment. But, the condition typically worsens with time. In addition, it can lead to heart failure, presenting a fatal disease if left untreated. So, one should take into consideration and treat the underlying condition concerning pulmonary hypertension.

5. Will the Progression of Pulmonary Hypertension Be Stopped?

The progression of the condition is apparent with pulmonary hypertension since it has no cure. The appropriate treatment help alleviate the signs and symptoms of hypertension, slowing the progression. This helps prevent permanent damage to the arteries involved.

6. How Does Pulmonary Hypertension Differ From Arterial Hypertension?

Regular hypertension presents elevated levels of blood pressure in the arteries. In contrast, pulmonary arterial hypertension is known for the elevated blood pressure in the arteries that flow from the heart to the lungs.

7. Is Arterial Hypertension a Serious Condition?

Arterial hypertension is a severe significant condition affecting right-sided heart muscles. It reduces the efficacy and potency of the heart in pumping oxygen and blood toward the body tissues. As a result, arterial hypertension presents signs including dizziness, irregular heart rate, and shortness of breath.

8. Is There a Cure for Arterial Hypertension?

Arterial hypertension is one of the severe conditions affecting and damaging the right heart muscles. As a result, the arteries became thick and rigid, allowing less amount of blood to pass through. As a result, the right side of the heart has difficulty pumping enough blood due to decreased blood flow. The condition does have no permanent cure but can be managed.

9. What Are the Organs that Get Affected by Arterial Hypertension?

Arterial hypertension is known for the elevated blood pressure in the arteries. It can affect the system in many means. However, hypertensive damage primarily affects these essential organs, including the brain, heart, eyes, kidneys, and blood vessels.

10. How Can One Decrease Arterial Hypertension?

- Reduce weight in cases of obesity.
- Exercises and leisure.
- Limit alcohol.
- Follow a salt-restricted diet.
- Ingest a well-balanced, healthy diet.
- Reduce stress.
- Get adequate sleep.

11. Does Arterial Hypertension Cause Stroke?

Arterial hypertension damages the arteries making them narrow and rupture. In addition, high blood pressure can result in blood clot formation in the arteries carrying to the brain. This could eventually result in reduced blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.

12. What Is Meant by Pulmonary Arterial Blood?

Arteries are the components of blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen, serving as an essential for blood circulation. The pulmonary artery is a part of pulmonary circulation that carries the oxygen-poor or deoxygenated blood from the proper aspect of the heart directly to the lungs.

13. What Does Pulmonary Hypertension Feel Like?

Individuals with pulmonary hypertension encounter the following symptoms.
- Dizziness.
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations.
- Swelling of the abdomen, legs, or feet.

14. What Are the Conditions Damaging The Heart and Blood Vessels?

Cardiovascular disease is the term indicating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The following conditions can damage the heart and blood vessels.
- Atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the arteries).
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Increased risks of blood clots.
- Chronic smoking or tobacco use.

15. Which Lung Disease Influence the Blood Vessels?

The condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension, a type of pulmonary hypertension, is one disease that affects the blood vessels. In this condition, the blood vessels become narrow, deteriorate, or get blocked. The damages culminate in reduced blood circulation throughout the lungs, with an overall increase in pulmonary blood pressure.