Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs. It occurs when the small arteries in the lungs narrow or become blocked. Secondary pulmonary hypertension is the most common and occurs as a result of another condition. Medical conditions that may lead to pulmonary hypertension include:

• congenital heart disease
• pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
• connective tissue disease, such as lupus or scleroderma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as emphysema
• liver disease
• sleep apnea
• use of diet drugs

When pulmonary hypertension has no identifiable cause, it’s called primary pulmonary hypertension. This type is not very common, and occurs most often in young women.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension may include:

• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• chest pain or pressure
• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• fainting
• swelling in the legs and ankles