How to treat pulmonary hypertension?

Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
Updated on September 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), depending on its various causes, has different treatments. The treatment commonly referred to as for pulmonary arterial hypertension specifically targets Group 1 PAH. This category of PAH has some targeted medications that are quite effective, such as prostacyclin medications, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. These drugs target pulmonary artery pressure among other things. In addition to targeted treatments, anticoagulant therapy is usually necessary. When right heart failure occurs, diuretic therapy may be needed. In advanced stages, heart-lung or lung transplantation might be required.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
54sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
36sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
47sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
1min 19sec home-news-image

Can pulmonary hypertension cause coughing?

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
52sec home-news-image

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.