The Causes and Symptoms of Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension
Characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs, pulmonary hypertension is distinct from other systemic forms of hypertension involving high blood pressure in the arteries. With pulmonary hypertension, the blood vessels of the lungs become damaged, narrow, or stiff, which makes the heart’s right side work harder to pump the same amount of blood. Because symptoms associated with pulmonary hypertension (such as difficulty breathing and chest pain) can be caused by conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, it’s important to receive a diagnosis from an experienced physician.
Therapies for chronic pulmonary hypertension include supplemental oxygen and anticoagulants such as warfarin. In addition, diuretics can be effective in ridding the body of excess water, which can build up in the lungs and cause the heart to work more. Administered intravenously or inhaled, vasodilators open narrowed arteries, while endothelin receptor antagonists work to block endothelin, which causes blood vessel constriction. There are also a host of herbal and homeopathic remedies for pulmonary hypertension, including Hawthorne, linden, rosemary, and garlic.
