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Pulmonary hypertension - Overview

Alternative Names

Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension; Familial primary pulmonary hypertension; Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension; Primary pulmonary hypertension; PPH; Secondary pulmonary hypertension

Definition of Pulmonary hypertension:

Pulmonary hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Pulmonary hypertension is usually caused by a narrowing of the small arteries of the lung, which makes it hard for blood to flow. Blood pressure increases. The right side of the heart must work harder to pump blood, and may become enlarged over time. Eventually, heart failure may develop.

Pumonary hypertension may be caused by:

A genetic defect
Certain diet medications
History of a blood clot in the lung
Lung or heart valve disease
Obstructive sleep apnea

In some cases, the cause is unknown.

If it occurs without a known cause, it is called primary pulmonary hypertension. If it is caused by a medicine or medical condition, it is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Primary pulmonary hypertension is rare. It affects more women than men.

Respiratory system

Primary pulmonary hypertension

Reviewed last on: 11/12/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicne, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

McGoon M, Gutterman D, Steen V, et al. Screening, early detection, and diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2004 Jul;126(1 Suppl):14S-34S.

Hayes D Jr. Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension misdiagnosed as asthma. J Asthma. 2007 Jan-Feb;44(1):19-22.

Barst RJ. Pulmonary hypertension. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 67.

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