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Diagnosis & Treatment

Pulmonary Hypertension

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How is Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Pulmonary hypertension could take a few years to develop before a person notices any signs or symptoms; therefore, diagnosing this condition early can be difficult. However, if a patient exhibits signs that could indicate pulmonary hypertension, a cardiologist or doctor will recommend several tests. These will include:

  • Echocardiogram - An ultrasound examination of the heart. The echocardiogram will measure the size and shape of the heart by creating an image of the heart using sound waves. This test can measure pulmonary artery pressure.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - This test measures the heart's electrical function
  • Right heart catheterization - This test is performed under mild sedation to assess the blood pressure inside the heart and lungs to measure blood flow.
  • Six-minute walk test

Once it is determined that a patient has pulmonary hypertension, the next step is to find out the reason why. Another group of tests must be performed to determine the cause of pulmonary hypertension.

These tests include:

  • Computerized tomography scans (CT or CAT scans) – A test to observe any blood clots or other lung disease are present
  • Pulmonary function test - This breathing test can determine whether a patient has obstructive lung disease
  • Sleep apnea test - This is a sleep test that sees if a patient has sleep apnea which causes a person to stop breathing during their sleep
  • Blood tests - Lab tests will be ordered to eliminate hepatitis, HIV, collagen disease, or other diseases

How is Pulmonary Hypertension Treated?

Treatment

Since pulmonary hypertension is usually a secondary condition, doctors first look to treat the cause. A blood clot or pulmonary embolism may be causing pulmonary hypertension. In this case, a surgeon may need to remove the blood clot from the patient's lung.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, but several treatments have successfully managed the condition. These treatments include:

  • Calcium channel blocking drugs - Calcium channel blockers relax the muscles in the blood vessel walls allowing for smoother blood flow
  • Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) - This medication helps keep blood vessels open, allowing blood to flow
  • Continuously infused epoprostenol - This blood thinner also aids in dilating the blood vessels to the lungs, while preventing blood clots from forming. An implanted catheter and pump can administer it. The drug lasts only a short time, so it must be infused.
  • Anticoagulants - These drugs prevents blood clots allowing it to flow better
  • Diuretics - These drugs are prescribed to eliminate excess water retention that can cause the heart to work harder
  • Digoxin - This drug aids the right side of the heart when pumping blood
  • Atrial septostomy - This treatment is intended to prevent heart failure from occurring in the right ventricle because of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
  • Healthy lifestyle changes - People with pulmonary hypertension should stop smoking, avoid taking birth control pills, and keep away from spending extended time in high altitude places. A healthy diet, exercise, and stress reduction can help limit the adverse effects of pulmonary hypertension.
  • Supplemental oxygen/Oxygen therapy - Supplemental oxygen may be required in cases of pulmonary hypertension where a patient has low oxygen levels in the blood.
  • Lung or heart-lung transplantation. These procedures are reserved for the most severe cases of pulmonary hypertension. These surgeries are only used as a last resort for patients whose quality of life is significantly affected by the disease.

FAQs

FAQs

Pulmonary hypertension puts a tremendous amount of stress on a person. Normal life activities that they enjoyed in the past are sometimes curtailed because of breathing problems. Anxiety and depression are common problems affecting people with this condition.

People state that symptoms worsen while exercising, limiting their ability to participate in normal, physical activities. Strenuous activities will exacerbate the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension.

There currently is no cure for pulmonary hypertension. However, the typical prognosis is far better today than it was 25 years ago. The median survival rate used to be 2.5 years. Now, the life expectancy is 20 years and more.

There is currently no cure for pulmonary hypertension. However, innovative medical advances allow people with pulmonary hypertension to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.

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Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment

No matter your heart condition, NewYork-Presbyterian will be there with cardiovascular care centers throughout the New York metropolitan area, including Westchester and Hudson Valley. Contact us today to make an appointment.