Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the pressure in the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your lungs is higher than normal. 

This forces your heart to work harder to pump blood into the lungs and can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and lightheadedness. If left untreated, the increased pressure can damage your heart. This may lead to serious or life-threatening complications, such as heart failure or arrhythmias, which are irregular heart rhythms.

One type, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), affects the arteries in the lung directly but pulmonary hypertension can also be caused by other diseases or conditions, including left heart disease, sickle cell disease, pulmonary embolus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Causes and Risk Factors 

• Pulmonary hypertension can be caused by medical conditions including:
• Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• Chronic exposure to high altitude
• Chronic kidney failure
• Congenital heart defects
• Connective tissue diseases like scleroderma
• HIV
• Infection with parasites
• Left heart disease (e.g., heart failure or valve disease)
• Liver diseases like cirrhosis
• Lung diseases (COPD, interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea)
• Metabolic disorders such as thyroid disorders or Gaucher disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Sickle cell disease
• Tumors in the lungs

You may be at increased risk if you:

• Are female
• Between the ages of 30-60
• Have been exposed to asbestos or silica
• Have an infection caused by tapeworms
• Have a family history of pulmonary hypertension or blood clots
• Use drugs like cocaine or amphetamines
• Smoke
• Take certain medications such as certain chemotherapy drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and some weight-loss drugs
• Have certain medical conditions or infections

Signs, Symptoms and Complications

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are sometimes hard to recognize because they are similar to those of other medical conditions. People may have symptoms for years before being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. These symptoms may worsen over time and could eventually lead to serious complications.
The signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension may include:

• Chest pain
• Cough that is dry or may produce blood
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness
• Light-headedness, fainting, or dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath, first with physical activity and then without it as the disease gets worse
• Swelling of your abdomen, legs, or feet caused by fluid buildup
• Weakness
• Wheezing

Complications of pulmonary hypertension may include the following:

• Anemia
• Arrhythmias and bundle branch blocks of the heart
• Blood clots in the pulmonary arteries
• Bleeding in the lungs, which may be life-threatening
• Heart failure, especially right ventricular failure
• Liver damage from increased pressure in the right heart
• Pericardial effusion, which is a collection of fluid in the sac-like structure around the heart
• Pregnancy complications that can be life-threatening for the mother and baby

Diagnosing Pulmonary Hypertension

Because pulmonary hypertension can mimic other conditions, diagnosing the condition typically involves several tests: 

• Echocardiogram (ECHO) to estimate the pressure in the pulmonary
• Right heart catheterization to measure pulmonary pressure directly and confirm a diagnosis
• Blood tests to look for increased risk of blood clots, stress on the heart, or anemia
• Imaging tests like chest X-ray, CT scan or cardiac MRI
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for heart rhythm or structural changes

Treatment Options

While there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, many treatments can help manage the condition and improve your quality of life. 

Lifestyle and Supportive Care

• Low-salt, heart-healthy diet
• Physical activity
• Physical rehabilitation
• Oxygen therapy (if needed)

Medications

• Anticoagulants or blood thinners to prevent clots
• Digitalis, or digoxin to control the rate blood is pumped throughout the body.
• Vasodilator therapy to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure in the pulmonary artery
• Treatment of the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension, including managing heart failure, thyroid conditions, anemia, or other diseases

Procedures and Surgery

• Pulmonary endarterectomy surgery to remove blood clots from the inside of the blood vessels of the lungs
• Balloon atrial septostomy to decrease pressure in the right heart chambers and improve the output of the left heart and oxygenation of the blood
• Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for patients not eligible for surgery
   

Why Choose Cooper for Your Pulmonary Hypertension Care

Cooper University Health Care offers expert, comprehensive care for people with pulmonary hypertension. As South Jersey’s leading academic health system, we bring together nationally and internationally recognized specialists, advanced diagnostic tools, and personalized treatment plans to support your health every step of the way.

• Recognized expertise: Our team includes clinical and interventional pulmonologists who are leaders in pulmonary hypertension care and active in research and education.
• Cooper Breathing Center: This one-stop, multidisciplinary clinic streamlines the diagnosis and treatment of complex lung and chest conditions — including pulmonary hypertension.
• Advanced diagnostic capabilities: We offer state-of-the-art testing such as right heart catheterization, echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and more to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
• Minimally invasive approaches: Whenever possible, we use the latest non-surgical and catheter-based techniques to help reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
• Personalized care: As an academic health system, we’re able to deliver tailored treatment plans designed around your condition, goals, and lifestyle — all close to home.