All
About
Pulmonary Hypertension
The pulmonary hypertension, also known as pulmonary arterial
hypertension, it is defined as the
persistent high blood pressure occurring in the pulmonary
artery.
While
in normal condition the resting pulmonary rate count is nearly 14 mmHg,
it can increase up to 25 mmHg or more when an individual is suffering
from pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This is a
life threatening condition. There is a treatment for this condition,
but there is no definitive cure. But first, let's explore a few facts
about it.
The complications
Transmission of
oxygen-mixed blood from right ventricle to small arteries becomes
possible with the help of pulmonary arteries. When someone suffers from
pulmonary arterial hypertension, the muscles of the pulmonary arteries
become tightened up, which eventually convert the internal space
narrower. In time, smaller blood clots may block the arterial passage,
leading to right heart failure syndrome. This is one of the most common
causes of mortality among people suffering from this
condition.
Some risk factors
There are certain risk
factors that put an individual at higher risk for developing
pulmonary
arterial hypertension. Prolonged use of appetite suppressants,
amphetamines or cocaine may increase the risk quite significantly. HIV
infection or AIDS may heighten the vulnerability towards developing
PAH. Apart from that, liver diseases and connective tissue diseases
such as scleroderma can pose serious threat. However, doctors have not
yet found the exact causes behind the development of pulmonary
hypertension and why some individuals are at higher risk than others.
Some of the
Most Common Signs & Symptoms
Shortness of breath is
one of the most common symptoms of the condition. Besides
that, other common symptoms may include:
-
fatigue
-
fainting
-
bluish skin and
lips
-
dizziness
-
palpitations
-
racing heart
-
chest pain
As the disease
progresses, the pumping function of the heart becomes weaker and the
energy level gets reduced. At the advanced level, the patient will
experience difficulty in performing simple activity or movement. In
addition, symptoms may become prevalent even when the patient is on
rest. At the worst end, he may turn out to be bedridden.
The Treatment
Not all people
suffering from pulmonary hypertension symptoms become very sick. In fact, still there
are lots of other options to keep an individual steady and active, such
as:
-
maintaining
healthy lifestyle
-
and healthy diet
-
avoid smoking and
alcohol consumption
-
doing regular
exercise
-
practicing
relaxation technique in combination with stress reduction therapy can
offer good result
-
walking is
considered as one of the most effective exercises among all for the
people suffering from pulmonary hypertension
The
objective of the treatment involves:
-
treating the
underlying causes
-
alleviating
symptoms
-
improving quality
of life
-
slowing the
formation of blood clot
-
smooth muscle cell
-
increasing
oxygenated blood supply
Typically, there are three modes of treatment. These are:
-
medications
-
oxygen supply
-
lung
transplantation
Other possible
advanced level treatments may involve gene and DNA therapy in
near future.
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