Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension

There are many known and unknown causes of pulmonary hypertension, the condition that refers to high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. This rare disorder, classified by symptoms such as shortness of breath and dizzy spells, is a serious, progressive disease that may require a heart or lung transplant.

When a cause for the disease cannot be identified, it is referred to as primary pulmonary hypertension. When a cause is known, the condition is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.

One common cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension is a breathing disorder, such as emphysema or bronchitis. Other, less frequent causes include: inflammatory or collagen vascular diseases, such as scleroderma, CREST syndrome or systemic lupus erythematosus; congenital heart diseases that cause shunting of extra blood through the lungs, such as ventricular and atrial septal defects; chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clots in the pulmonary artery); HIV infection; liver disease; and diet drugs. It has also been found that pregnancy, smoking and high altitudes exacerbate symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, and while they do not cause the disease to exist, they can make the conditions progressively worse.

Secondary pulmonary hypertension cannot be treated unless treatment for the underlying cause is performed. Additionally, once pulmonary hypertension has developed from another condition, simply curing the other condition will not make the pulmonary hypertension go away; separate treatment is needed for both disorders.

Certain medications can be used to treat both coexisting illnesses. However, as all medications do not work for all patients, it is important for doctors to prescribe medications based on a thorough investigation of an individual''s case and cause of pulmonary hypertension. Extra precautions need to be taken with patients with both pulmonary hypertension and a causal illness. They should use supplemental oxygen during air travel; avoid high altitudes and travel in unpressurized air cabins; avoid pregnancy and oral contraceptives (the best birth control for people with pulmonary hypertension is surgical sterilization); use antibiotics for respiratory tract infections and receive pneumonia and flu shots, as these types of infections can be extremely serious for patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Since there is no actual cure for secondary pulmonary hypertension - there are merely treatments - it is important to continue seeking ongoing medical attention for the disorder. Medication use should not be stopped or altered without a doctor''s permission. People have been able to live fulfilled lives with pulmonary hypertension, as long as they make necessary changes to their lifestyle to accommodate for their weakened heart and lungs. A doctor can help determine what changes will ensure a lengthy survival rate.

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Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension

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