Causes
of Pulmonary Hypertension
Factors that
are causes of pulmonary hypertension
It can eventually lead to heart failure once you suffer from the condition of pulmonary hypertension.
This is because the heart is forced to work a lot harder than it should
due
to the narrowed small arteries in the lungs. There is a resistance to
blood flow because of the narrowed arteries and that causes the right
side of the heart to enlarge and that is when progressive heart
failure could occur.
Doctors have
separated different cases of pulmonary hypertension into diverse types
determined by the causes.
In the diagnosis of the primary pulmonary
hypertension, for example, includes cases where the cause is currently
unknown. There is no real reason why the condition has developed,
though it does tend to affect women
twice as much as men. When
diagnosed with the condition, most
patients tend
to be at least 35
years old. There is a theory that people who do suffer from the primary
pulmonary hypertension have various stimuli that cause the
condition
to develop.
Another type of pulmonary hypertension is thought
to be caused by a disease. This is known as secondary pulmonary
hypertension and there are a number of different diseases that are
linked to the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis,
ongoing liver disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, and scleroderma
are all
thought to have an impact on secondary pulmonary hypertension. It is
also thought to be brought on by frequent exposure to high altitudes
and by individuals who take illicit drugs.
 There
is thought
to be a genetic link for primary pulmonary hypertension sufferers.
The bone morphogenetic protein receptor II has shown a change in a
gene that is related to it in around 60% of sufferers. However, more
research is currently being done to establish a proper connection.
Another of the potential
causes of pulmonary hypertension includes
weight loss medications. Many weight loss pills increase the level of
serotonin in the body.
It is the increase in serotonin that is
thought to increase the chances of pulmonary hypertension. It does
this by the injury caused to the blood vessels because of the
serotonin.
However, the most common form of the condition
is secondary
pulmonary hypertension. So if you do suffer from various
diseases
then it could well increase your chance of developing the condition.
Primary pulmonary hypertension is difficult to study because it is
quite rare.
Overall pulmonary hypertension is a serious
condition that can cause long-term problems if it is not treated. If
you are worried about your chances of developing the condition then
it would be a good idea to visit your doctor.
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Causes of Pulmonary Hypertension to Treating Hypertension
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