lung hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that damages the arteries present in the lungs and also the right side of heart This condition is more common in women. The lungs are an important organ of the body, participating in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and together with the heart form a unit called the cardiopulmonary system.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, CVTS Surgeon and Heart and Lung Transplant Surgeon at Global Hospital in Mumbai, explains: “The heart pumps blood to the lungs with the highest pressures. (normally about 25 mm Hg) to maintain pulmonary circulation. In some patients, this pulmonary pressure increases leading to a condition called pulmonary hypertension (PH). Primary pulmonary HTN (PPH) is a rare disorder in which uncontrolled blood pressure in the lungs impedes blood flow and causes irreversible changes in the pulmonary capillaries and eventually leads to decreased blood flow. gas transport across membranes.
Cause:
According to Dr. Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, this condition can be caused by a primary (unknown) cause or secondary to an obstruction of blood flow.
Symptom:
Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni revealed: “Most patients are usually asymptomatic in the early stages and when pulmonary pressure rises beyond 50 mm, they begin to exhibit common symptoms such as premature fatigue, shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty climbing stairs or, more commonly, decreased exercise tolerance. The signs of early PPH are EXCELLENT and difficult to identify unless there is a high rate of suspicion or further tests are performed. Later or late-stage symptoms include swelling of the feet, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, fluid accumulation in the chest, low blood pressure and inability to lie flat while sleeping.
Risk factors:
- Have a family history of PH
- overweight
- certain drugs
- Having congenital heart disease can lead to this condition.
Talking about why the condition is more common in women than in men, Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni said: “PH is more common in women and can occur as early as 15 to 20 years old and even even during pregnancy. Pregnancy often causes a slight increase in blood pressure, which usually subsides with delivery. But in very few patients it may not. Even autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are common in women and can lead to the condition.”
Symptoms:
Emphasizing the complications that occur as a result of this condition, Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni said, “The main problem with PH is that the right ventricle of the heart usually begins to fail and can lead to abnormal dilation of the right heart. . Uncorrected PH can cause RIGHT ventricular failure so severe that the patient may turn blue or possibly go into cardiac arrest. Such dilated RVs are usually not medically treatable and only heart and lung transplants can be given to such people.”
Diagnose:
Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni revealed: “Very few patients are diagnosed during pregnancy and the management of both mother and fetus can be a difficult situation but thorough clinical examination, electrocardiogram, X-ray Chest radiographs and 2D ultrasound are simple tests for monitoring and diagnosing disease.
The treatment:
Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni advises: “Newer therapies such as ECMO or ventricular assist devices can be used for patients who are still awaiting cardiopulmonary transplantation. Many PH-lowering medications are available to control PPH. It’s better to just follow your doctor’s instructions. Try to avoid any over-the-counter drugs.”
