Can pulmonary hypertension cause coughing?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a commonly seen clinical condition with complex causes, which may arise from various cardiac, pulmonary, and pulmonary vascular diseases. When pulmonary arterial hypertension occurs, due to increased resistance in the pulmonary circulation, the load on the right heart will increase, eventually leading to right heart failure, thus causing a series of clinical manifestations. In the early stages, pulmonary arterial hypertension may not present with obvious symptoms, and discomfort may be felt during intense exercise, with most patients showing shortness of breath after activity. During the compensatory period of pulmonary heart function, symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and decreased endurance may occur during activities, and acute infections can also exacerbate these conditions, potentially causing mild chest pain or hemoptysis. Some patients may exhibit signs of heart dysfunction, like coughing and expectorating phlegm.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Does pulmonary hypertension require hospitalization?

Pulmonary hypertension is a very complex group of diseases. Due to different factors causing pulmonary hypertension, there are also different treatment plans for managing it. Many cases of pulmonary hypertension are quite severe at onset. To significantly enhance the patient's quality of life and ensure the stability of the condition, hospitalization is usually required for treatment. The medications used during the discharge period may vary, and some patients might need surgical intervention to alleviate some of the clinical symptoms caused by the disease. Therefore, for patients with pulmonary hypertension, if the onset is mild, symptomatic treatment through medications can be pursued. However, if the onset is sudden and severe, hospital treatment becomes necessary.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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The harms of pulmonary arterial hypertension during pregnancy

Pulmonary hypertension is categorized into mild, moderate, and severe stages. If it is mild pulmonary hypertension, pregnancy generally does not have a major impact. However, for those with moderate or especially severe pulmonary hypertension, pregnancy can be very dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. As the fetus grows, pulmonary hypertension can lead to ischemia and hypoxia, which can worsen over time. The mother is likely to develop symptoms of acute heart failure, severely endangering her life. Additionally, it can cause intrauterine hypoxia for the fetus, leading to miscarriage or stillbirth. Therefore, pregnancy is not recommended for patients with moderate, and particularly severe, pulmonary hypertension.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Early symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension

It depends on what disease causes pulmonary hypertension. There are several common causes of pulmonary hypertension, one of which is a pathological change in the pulmonary artery itself. Early on, there may be signs of mild increases in pulmonary artery pressure, possibly accompanied by slight right heart dysfunction. At this stage, symptoms such as mild hypotension and hypoxia might occur, manifesting as dizziness and fatigue. If the pulmonary hypertension is due to a disease of the lungs themselves, such as changes in the lung interstitium, then early symptoms of hypoxia will be more apparent, with chest tightness, slight breathing difficulties, and feelings of suffocation. If pulmonary hypertension is caused by conditions such as pulmonary embolism—specifically, an embolism in a smaller branch—the increase in pulmonary artery pressure may not be significant and will also be mild. This may be accompanied by a slight drop in blood pressure and mild breathing difficulties; however, because it is mild pulmonary hypertension, these symptoms are not severe and might include slight respiratory difficulty, mild chest tightness, shortness of breath, and mild dizziness. Therefore, early symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are typically not pronounced and generally do not attract special attention from patients.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:

The clinical symptoms of pulmonary hypertension primarily include: 1. Shortness of breath, which is the most common symptom of pulmonary hypertension. Many patients experience shortness of breath as their initial symptom, which is often related to physical activity. As the condition progresses, the shortness of breath tends to worsen. 2. Some patients may also experience chest pain, dizziness, or fainting. 3. Some patients may cough up blood, usually only a small amount, but occasionally there can be a significant amount. 4. Patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may experience repeated symptoms of coughing and coughing up phlegm. 5. Patients with pulmonary hypertension often experience fatigue and weakness.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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What to do with mild pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary artery hypertension is a relatively common disease in daily life. Based on the different pulmonary artery pressures, it can be divided into mild, moderate, and severe pulmonary artery hypertension. When the right heart catheter measures pulmonary artery pressure between 30 to 50 mmHg, this situation often belongs to mild pulmonary artery hypertension. So, what should one do if diagnosed with mild pulmonary artery hypertension? Generally, mild pulmonary artery hypertension is not serious and usually does not cause noticeable symptoms, so no special treatment is needed. However, having mild pulmonary artery hypertension does not mean it can be taken lightly. It is important to undergo regular examinations under the guidance of a doctor, identify the cause of the increased pulmonary artery pressure, and treat the symptoms timely.