Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and lightheadedness during activity or rest. While these symptoms are common with pulmonary hypertension in the early stages, they can also be symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if you notice any of these symptoms, you must consult your doctor to determine if they are due to pulmonary hypertension.
Contents
show
Diastolic dysfunction
Diastolic dysfunction is a prominent complication of pulmonary hypertension (PH). A progressive increase in pulmonary pressure characterizes this condition. This condition can be isolated or associated with pre-capillary PH. Diastolic dysfunction is associated with an elevated diastolic pressure gradient and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Diastolic dysfunction in COPD can also be related to co-morbidities.
Although pulmonary hypertension primarily affects the right heart, it can also impair left ventricular diastolic function. A recent study examined 50 patients with PH who underwent electrocardiography, conventional echocardiography, and tissue doppler echocardiography. The patients were grouped according to their degree of PH. Group Ia patients had mild PH, whereas group I and c had severe PH.
The current study excluded hemodynamically unstable patients or end-stage liver or kidney disease. Furthermore, patients with end-stage heart or kidney disease were excluded. The study also included patients with pulmonary artery disease. Further research is needed to clarify whether diastolic dysfunction is related to pulmonary hypertension and its symptoms.
Patients with PHpEF may have pulmonary hypertension of the right ventricular. In addition, the disease is frequently accompanied by right ventricular dysfunction, which is associated with poor outcomes.
Mitral valve disease
Mitral valve disease is one of the most common types of heart valve disease. The valve in the left lower chamber does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward. In severe cases, this can cause a shortage of blood and cause shortness of breath or fatigue. However, mild cases do not require treatment.
Despite the common association between mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension, no clear-cut cause has been identified. However, some factors seem to be associated. One such factor is pulmonary artery resistance. Patients with pulmonary hypertension usually have increased resistance to blood flow through the lungs, despite having regular or preserved left ventricular function.
Typically, patients with left-sided valve pathology have pulmonary hypertension. This condition is a warning sign of more advanced disease and may result in death. This is a more severe condition than the isolated pre-capillary PH. Moreover, patients with pulmonary hypertension are more likely to have underlying cardiac disease.
The long-term survival of patients with mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension has been a mixed bag. While the overall mortality rates of patients with mitral regurgitation are generally high, survival rates for those with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation are lower. Despite advances in medical technology and the availability of new treatments, there is still a need for careful management of patients with either condition.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare type resulting from abnormally high pressure within the lungs’ tiny blood vessels. It is associated with pulmonary embolism, an event that occurs in as many as one percent of the population. Therefore, early detection of CTEPH is critical for accurate treatment. However, this condition often goes undetected and cannot be diagnosed until it’s too late.
Symptoms of this condition are usually not apparent until months or years after an acute pulmonary embolus. While the exact cause of this condition remains unknown, a common clinical manifestation of the disease is right ventricular dysfunction and dyspnea. Fortunately, early diagnosis of CTEPH is possible with a simple clinical assessment.
There are multiple treatments available for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertensive patients. First, a medical procedure called pulmonary endarterectomy removes the blood clots that have built up in the lung’s arteries. Another treatment option is pulmonary balloon angioplasty, which works to open up the narrowed arteries.
Blood clots enter the lungs and travel from veins in the legs or arms. These clots cause pulmonary arteries to narrow and become scar tissue, making blood flow through the lungs difficult. This causes the right side of the heart to work much harder to pump blood through the lungs.