Treating Pulmonary Hypertension at St. Luke's

Narrowing or blocked arteries in the lungs is a sign of pulmonary hypertension. With the build-up of pressure, the heart has to work harder. The result is that the heart muscle gets weak and may stop working altogether.

Pulmonary Hypertension Signs and Symptoms

• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Fainting
• Swelling of the ankles and feet

Pulmonary Hypertension Risk Factors

• Certain drugs including antidepressants, oral contraceptives, estrogen therapy
• Cigarette smoking
• Obesity
• HIV
• Liver disease
• Vascular diseases
• Thyroid disorders

Pulmonary Hypertension Tests may include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Lung scan or CT scan 
• Sleep Study
• Blood tests  

Treatment and Care

More than ever before, pulmonary hypertension is treatable. Not all patients are treated with the same medication(s). Some possible treatments are:

• Warfarin, an anticoagulant, to prevent clotting in pulmonary arteries
• Oxygen, if oxygen levels are low
• Diuretics (fluid pills) to reduce excess fluid in the body
• Digoxin to improve heart pumping
• Vasodilator medications that work by opening up narrowed blood vessels