Treating Pulmonary Hypertension at St. Luke's
Narrowing or blocked arteries in the lungs is a sign of pulmonary hypertension. With the build-up of pressure, the heart has to work harder. The result is that the heart muscle gets weak and may stop working altogether.
Pulmonary Hypertension Signs and Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Swelling of the ankles and feet
Pulmonary Hypertension Risk Factors
- Certain drugs including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, estrogen therapy
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- HIV
- Liver disease
- Vascular diseases
- Thyroid disorders
Pulmonary Hypertension Tests may include:
Treatment and Care
More than ever before, pulmonary hypertension is treatable. Not all patients are treated with the same medication(s). Some possible treatments are:
- Warfarin, an anticoagulant, to prevent clotting in pulmonary arteries
- Oxygen, if oxygen levels are low
- Diuretics (fluid pills) to reduce excess fluid in the body
- Digoxin to improve heart pumping
- Vasodilator medications that work by opening up narrowed blood vessels