Pulmonary Hypertension

The Pulmonary Hypertension topic includes research on the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, a condition that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. It includes research on right ventricular heart dysfunction and failure.

Pulmonary hypertension develops when blood pressure in the lungs is higher than normal. Because pulmonary hypertension makes the heart work harder than normal to pump blood into the lungs, it can damage the heart. Symptoms can include shortness of breath; chest pain; dizziness; and swelling of the abdomen, legs, or feet.

Pulmonary hypertension can develop on its own or can be caused by another disease or condition. In the United States, the most common type of pulmonary hypertension is caused by left-sided heart disease, such as left heart failure. Several other medical conditions and environmental factors can increase the likelihood of developing pulmonary hypertension. Although there is no cure, many different types of treatments are available, including inhaled or intravenous medicine, diuretics to reduce swelling, and oxygen therapy.