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Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Causes & Diagnosis

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a condition where a person has high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. In other words, the passage gets narrowed, which makes it difficult for blood to pass through. This condition is very different from having high blood pressure in general. Genes may play a role in why some people get it.In such a case of hypertension, the pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases abnormally, which results in putting a lot of pressure on the right ventricle of the heart, causing it to expand in size. The right ventricle could gradually lose its ability to pump blood to the lungs which is highly life-threatening.  high-blood-pressure Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension can occur in individuals of all ages. Usually much more common in young adults and is approximately twice as common in women as in men.

Common Symptoms

Causes of Symptoms

The following are some known causes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension:

Diagnosis & Treatment

The first thing your doctor will enquire about is if you smoke or if your family has a history of such cases. As each of the symptom and cause is identified and carefully assessed, your diagnosis would include the following to determine the severity and treatment required-
  1. Blood tests: Helps detect the presence of HIV, Arthritis or Lupus
  2. CT Scan: Helps detect the enlarged pulmonary artery and find out the other probable causes for the condition
  3. Echocardiogram: Helps get a better understanding of the status of the blood pressure
  4. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Helps get a complete overview of the heart’s activity & strain
  5. Exercise testing: Helps manage the changes in oxygen level, heart function and other things.
If these tests show that you might have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, your doctor will need to do a right  heart catheterization  to be sure.  If for sure you are diagnosed with the condition, the treatment plan for the same will vary from person to person. Hence, your treatment plan will be specific to your needs. Ask your doctor what your options are and what to expect.One of the best ways to deal with such a condition is by staying active. Simple exercises like taking a walk will help the breathing get better. Just like anyone else, it’s advisable to follow a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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