What exactly is pulmonary arterial hypertension?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one form of a broader condition known as pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the lungs. In PAH, this increased pressure in the vessels is caused by obstruction in the small arteries in the lung for a variety of reasons.

Is pulmonary arterial hypertension serious?

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs (pulmonary arteries). It’s a serious condition that can damage the right side of the heart. The walls of the pulmonary arteries become thick and stiff, and cannot expand as well to allow blood through.

What is the main cause of pulmonary hypertension?

Some common underlying causes of pulmonary hypertension include high blood pressure in the lungs’ arteries due to some types of congenital heart disease, connective tissue disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, liver disease (cirrhosis), blood clots to the lungs, and chronic lung diseases like emphysema …

What is the life expectancy of someone with pulmonary arterial hypertension?

You can generally live with pulmonary hypertension for up to around five years, but this life expectancy is improving. This is because new ways are found in managing the disease so that a person can live even longer after they have been diagnosed.

What are the three types of hypertension?

For 95 percent of people with high blood pressure, the cause of their hypertension is unknown — this is called essential, or primary, hypertension….Different Types of Hypertension

• Isolated systolic hypertension.
• Malignant hypertension.
• Resistant hypertension.

What is hypertension Medscape?

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or more, or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or more, or taking antihypertensive medication.

Can pulmonary arterial hypertension be cured?

Although there is no cure for PAH, there are medications and procedures that can slow the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life. Treatment options vary from person to person, so you will want to work closely with your doctor to determine the best plan for you.

How is pulmonary arterial hypertension detected?

Echocardiogram: Ultrasound of the heart to check the size and condition of the chambers of the heart. It can also be used to estimate the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. Right Heart Catheterization: This test is invasive, so it is not usually performed unless other tests cannot produce a firm diagnosis.