In a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension, the blood
vessels in the lungs become too narrow. This causes the pressure to
increase and causes the heart to work too hard, and eventually causes
heart failure. Primary pulmonary hypertension differs from ordinary
pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure), in that there is no
apparent cause. Ordinary pulmonary hypertension (called secondary
pulmonary hypertension) can be caused from a number of factors,
including heart or lung diseases such as emphysema.
Often, the early symptoms go undetected. Some common symptoms that may
be an indicator of primary pulmonary hypertension include shortness of
breath, chest pain and weakness, unusual fatigue, and swelling of the
legs. A PPH patient may also have a bluish color in their lips or skin,
and may sometimes get dizzy and faint. Although there is no known cure,
the best approach to managing PPH is to control the symptoms with
medication such as blood thinners or calcium channel blockers. In its
advanced stages, the patient may need to have oxygen, and in some
cases, a heart-lung transplant may be indicated.
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By: Posted: Feb 16 2013 03:23:54 PM