Is moderate pulmonary hypertension serious?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Pulmonary hypertension is a common clinical condition with complex etiology, which can be caused by various cardiac, pulmonary, or pulmonary vascular diseases. The current diagnostic criteria for pulmonary hypertension are an average pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 25 mmHg at sea level in a resting state, or greater than 30 mmHg during exercise, as measured via right heart catheterization. The severity of pulmonary hypertension can be categorized based on resting average pulmonary arterial pressure levels into mild (26 to 35 mmHg), moderate (36 to 45 mmHg), and severe (greater than 45 mmHg). Echocardiography is the most important non-invasive screening method for pulmonary hypertension. Assessing the severity of moderate pulmonary hypertension not only involves the measurement of average pulmonary arterial pressure but also necessitates identifying its etiology. Since pulmonary hypertension is a disease with a complex etiology, it is crucial to first clarify the cause, and then further determine the patient's cardiopulmonary function status, whether it is in a compensatory or decompensatory stage. Additionally, it is important to determine if there are any related complications, such as pulmonary hypertension stemming from lung-induced conditions. When patients exhibit complications like pulmonary encephalopathy, acid-base imbalance, electrolyte disturbances, arrhythmias, or even shock and gastrointestinal bleeding, the severity of pulmonary hypertension can be extremely severe.

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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.

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Where can moxibustion be applied for pulmonary hypertension?

If the patient has pulmonary arterial hypertension, it is advisable for the patient to actively monitor their blood pressure changes sometimes. This type of pulmonary arterial hypertension may sometimes require drug treatment. The disease primarily manifests as the patient experiencing coughing, phlegm production, palpitations after activity, shortness of breath, and occasionally accompanied by difficulty breathing, especially worsening at night. Sometimes there may also be swelling in the lower extremities. Regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, and acupuncture, these treatments can relieve symptoms. However, pulmonary arterial hypertension can sometimes further develop into cor pulmonale, which is irreversible. In such cases, it is recommended to be hospitalized for infusion therapy.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
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Can pulmonary hypertension cause headaches?

Pulmonary hypertension is a clinically complex disease with a wide range of causes. Consequently, the symptoms it presents in patients are numerous and complicated. Typically, patients with increasing pulmonary hypertension may experience varying degrees of shortness of breath after activity, chest tightness, dizziness, as well as chest pain, palpitations, and fainting. Generally, it does not cause headaches. However, many cases of pulmonary hypertension might also involve conditions such as hypertension, or other diseases that could lead to headaches. When pulmonary hypertension is worsening, it might coincide with an increase in blood pressure, which could also trigger headaches at that time. Therefore, it is important to differentiate in clinical practice; primary pulmonary hypertension generally does not cause headaches but can cause dizziness.

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Late-stage symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension

The prognosis of pulmonary hypertension depends on the function of the right heart. The main symptoms in the final stage of pulmonary hypertension are those of right heart failure. At this time, the patient mainly shows symptoms such as swelling of the lower limbs, oliguria, and abdominal distension. The difficulty in breathing may be slightly less severe than in the early stages. These symptoms are mainly caused by venous congestion in the systemic circulation, which prevents blood from returning from the lower limbs, leading to edema or ascites in the lower parts of the body.

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Pulmonary hypertension is treated by which department?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a common clinical condition with complex causes, and depending on the cause, patients may visit different departments. The common causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension include the following. The first type is venous pulmonary hypertension, which is caused by diseases of the left heart system. Patients with this condition need to visit the department of cardiology, mainly to control heart failure. The second type is chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The main reasons include thromboembolism in the proximal or distal pulmonary arteries, or due to tumors, parasites, foreign bodies, etc., leading to pulmonary embolism. Diseases of this type require visits to the respiratory department. Additionally, chronic pulmonary heart disease, such as heart failure caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, sleep breathing disorders, and hypoventilation lesions, also lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension and should be treated in the respiratory department. Furthermore, some rheumatic immune diseases and congenital heart diseases can also cause pulmonary arterial hypertension. As pulmonary arterial hypertension has gradually received more attention, some hospitals have established specialized outpatient clinics for pulmonary arterial hypertension.