Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure that specifically affects the arteries within the lungs on the right side of the heart, known as the pulmonary arterioles, causing capillaries to become too narrow, impeded, or completely destroyed. Pulmonary hypertension may develop because of a host of factors ranging from infections and inherited disorders to heart problems and blood clots. Some risk factors for pulmonary hypertension include a family history of the condition, living at a high altitude for a long time, liver diseases, heart or lung disease, blood clots and clotting disorders that affect the lungs, and using illegal drugs and amphetamine-based medicines.
Even if you know the risk factors for pulmonary hypertension, you may not be able to stop it from happening. In most cases, it occurs due to inherited risks, from some unknown cause or uncontrollable conditions, or due to a congenital heart problem. At the same time, you may be able to reduce the risk factors by avoiding activities that could trigger its development. Another possible way to reduce risks of pulmonary hypertension is to treat other health problems that may be associated with it, like heart ailments.
There is no known cure for pulmonary hypertension as it is a progressive condition. However, the rate at which it advances may vary from one person to another. If the condition is left untreated, it may turn fatal in a few years. However, it is definitely possible to manage and delay the progression of pulmonary hypertension through significant lifestyle changes and continuously monitoring health:
1. Surgery
While medications may work for managing this condition, there is no non-surgical cure for pulmonary hypertension. Treatments can delay its progress, and these treatments will depend on the risk factors for pulmonary hypertension. For example, when you suffer from severe mitral valve disorders, you can opt for surgery for repairing and replacing this valve, improving the condition.
2. Medications
In some cases, doctors may prescribe medicines to help relax the blood vessels. These are the calcium channel blockers used for treating traditional hypertension. Some other drugs improve blood circulation through the relaxation of muscles inside the pulmonary arteries. It cuts down the load on the heart which works overtime to pump blood to the lungs in individuals with the condition. Besides these, there are some medicines like digoxin that can make your heart pump stronger.
3. Diuretics
When excess fluid builds up in ankles and feet of pulmonary hypertension-affected people, diuretics have to be given to restore normal fluid levels.
4. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is also given to increase blood oxygen levels.
5. Lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are needed for long-term treatment, and this may be customized by the doctor to suit your specific health needs.
6. Organ transplant
Heart or lung transplantation is often used to treat severe cases of pulmonary hypertension. The patient may just have a lung transplant if the condition is acute but the heart works fine. However, a heart and lung transplant may have to be done if both these organs are failing. Transplant surgeries are risky as they involve a waiting list for donor organs, due to which treatment may be delayed.
7. Support groups
Finally, you need to talk to your doctor about support groups. Since pulmonary hypertension will limit your physical activities, you are likely to face emotional challenges. Support groups help you find someone to talk to in such a situation.
