Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (pronounced as pul-MON-ary hy-per-TEN-shun) is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
Etymology
The term "pulmonary" is derived from the Latin word "pulmonarius," meaning "of the lungs," while "hypertension" comes from the Greek words "hyper," meaning "above," and "tension," meaning "pressure."
Definition
In one form of pulmonary hypertension, tiny arteries in the lungs, called pulmonary arteries, and capillaries become narrowed, blocked or destroyed. This makes it harder for blood to flow through the lungs, and raises pressure within the lungs' arteries. As the pressure builds, the heart's lower right chamber (right ventricle) must work harder to pump blood through the lungs, eventually causing the heart muscle to weaken and fail.
Related Terms
Symptoms
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, a racing heartbeat, pain on the upper right side of the abdomen and decreased appetite.
Treatment
Treatment for pulmonary hypertension includes medications, procedures, and other therapies. These aim to slow the progression of the disease, relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and extend life expectancy.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pulmonary Hypertension
- Wikipedia's article - Pulmonary Hypertension
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