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*Pulmonary* is a word that refers to the lungs. Hypertension is elevated blood pressure. Pulmonary hypertension, according to the PHA (pulmonary hypertension association) refers to a blood vessel disorder in the lungs in which the blood pressure within the blood vessels in the lungs raises to a dangerously high level. According to the PHA, pulmonary hypertension occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs begin to constrict and get smaller, even stiffer, thus making the heart pump harder and harder to try and squeeze the blood through the veins. This pushing creates significantly higher blood pressure within the blood vessels in the lungs.

Two Different Types of Pulmonary Hypertension

There actually two different types of pulmonary hypertension: Primary pulmonary hypertension, and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Primary pulmonary hypertension, or PPH, means that the cause of the hypertension is unknown and there may be more than one single cause for the disease.

Secondary pulmonary hypertension, or SPH, is different from primary pulmonary hypertension in that the cause behind the hypertension is known. There is a definite cause for the problem. Emphysema and bronchitis are often causes of secondary pulmonary hypertension, as well as congenital heart disease, HIV, liver disease and diet drugs. Family Doctor.Org explains that both types of hypertension are typically permanent conditions that the patient must deal with. Most patients, however, do survive with the disease for fifteen to twenty years.

Symptoms of Both Types of Pulmonary Hypertension

There are several symptoms that may reveal that a person is suffering with pulmonary hypertension. Symptoms listed by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, dizzy spells and fainting. The American Heart Association adds that symptoms could include swelling in the ankles or legs, as well as the skin and lips turning to a bluish color. Symptoms may vary from one patient to another, and a patient may have one symptom or a combination of several. There are also a variety of tests that can be taken to be certain that a person has pulmonary hypertension. These include echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, heart catheterization, walking tests, etc. CT scans, pulmonary function tests, sleep studies, and lab tests are then used to try and determine exactly what is causing the pulmonary hypertension.

Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension

Again, there is no exact cure for pulmonary hypertension. In fact, most treatments can only alleviate the symptoms. There are several different treatments that doctors can give patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension. Approximately one quarter of patients are treated with a calcium *channel-blocking* drug that they take orally. According to the American Heart Association, prostacyclin, a vasodialator, can be intravenously to the patients who don't respond to the oral calcium channel blockers. The drug is delivered through a *portable, battery-operated* pump and dramatically improves the symptoms for a variety of patients, and thus improving the quality of life. Diuretics and inhaled oxygen are also used to treat pulmonary hypertension. If none of these treatments work, a lung transplant may be recommended and necessary.