Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH or PHTN) is a condition of increased <a href="/facts/Blood_pressure/VtqqSM2J">blood pressure</a> in the <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_artery/86j5Jc7D">arteries of the lungs</a>. Symptoms include <a href="/facts/Dypsnea/1jBfFzxU">shortness of breath</a>, <a href="/facts/Syncope_(medicine)/AqU1whYh">fainting</a>, tiredness, chest pain, <a href="/facts/Pedal_edema/Q6MI3KdH">swelling of the legs</a>, and a <a href="/facts/Fast_heartbeat/ycmyzP7q">fast heartbeat</a>. The condition may make it difficult to exercise. Onset is typically gradual.
According to the definition at the 6th World Symposium of Pulmonary Hypertension in 2018, a patient is deemed to have pulmonary hypertension if the pulmonary mean arterial pressure is greater than 20mmHg at rest, revised down from a purely arbitrary 25mmHg, and <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_vascular_resistance/XPH12Hub">pulmonary vascular resistance</a> (PVR) greater than 3 Wood units.
The cause is often unknown. Risk factors include a family history, prior <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_embolism/LPjKCPba">pulmonary embolism</a> (blood clots in the lungs), <a href="/facts/HIV%2fAIDS/RqLIEMuJ">HIV/AIDS</a>, <a href="/facts/Sickle_cell_disease/93LT7ATq">sickle cell disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Cocaine/rdQP4zwF">cocaine</a> use, <a href="/facts/Chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease/ud3oXGCr">chronic obstructive pulmonary disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Sleep_apnea/mstY43ok">sleep apnea</a>, living at high <a href="/facts/Altitude/B5eNVurK">altitudes</a>, and problems with the <a href="/facts/Mitral_valve/GzQsvXLL">mitral valve</a>. The underlying mechanism typically involves <a href="/facts/Inflammation/Ura86MIy">inflammation</a> and subsequent remodeling of the <a href="/facts/Arteries/Y1Yj0jat">arteries</a> in the <a href="/facts/Lungs/gTWXI6Fj">lungs</a>. Diagnosis involves first ruling out other potential causes.High cardiac output states, such as advanced liver disease or the presence of large arteriovenous fistulas, may lead to an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) greater than 20 mm Hg despite a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) less than 2 Wood units, which does not necessarily indicate pulmonary vascular disease.
As of 2022 there was no cure for pulmonary hypertension, although research to find a cure is ongoing. Treatment depends on the type of disease. A number of <a href="/facts/Supportive_care/zQlnUC9x">supportive measures</a> such as <a href="/facts/Oxygen_therapy/38BdReab">oxygen therapy</a>, <a href="/facts/Diuretics/x3j4I1Tg">diuretics</a>, and <a href="/facts/Anticoagulants/cARpjm0G">medications to inhibit blood clotting</a> may be used. Medications specifically used to treat pulmonary hypertension include <a href="/facts/Epoprostenol/476YKITj">epoprostenol</a>, <a href="/facts/Treprostinil/VrFLX3Yj">treprostinil</a>, <a href="/facts/Iloprost/AU41rWHI">iloprost</a>, <a href="/facts/Bosentan/DzvUTbao">bosentan</a>, <a href="/facts/Ambrisentan/Lc12yuh8">ambrisentan</a>, <a href="/facts/Macitentan/M9uNTHUA">macitentan</a>, and <a href="/facts/Sildenafil/2NHe0pwM">sildenafil</a>, tadalafil, <a href="/facts/Selexipag/MFfVnWKw">selexipag</a>, riociguat. <a href="/facts/Lung_transplantation/Yc2BIroT">Lung transplantation</a> may be an option in severe cases.

The frequency of occurrence is estimated at 1,000 new cases per year in the United States. Females are more often affected than males. Onset is typically between 20 and 60 years of age. Pulmonary hypertension was identified by Ernst von Romberg in 1891.

Pulmonary hypertension open-in-new

Pulmonary hypertension