About this topic
Pulmonary hypertension is also called PH. With PH, the blood pressure in the lungs arteries becomes too high. The high blood pressure is caused by narrow, tight, or stiff arteries. ‚
When someone has PH, blood has problems getting to the lungs. The heart may need to work harder to push blood going to the lungs. If the heart works too hard, over time its muscles become weak. When heart muscles are weak, they cannot pump enough blood to the body or to the lungs. This is called heart failure. If it is not treated, the heart will keep getting weaker. ‚
Doctors treat PH with drugs, oxygen, or surgery. If PH is caused by some other illness, the doctor may need to treat this illness first. How well your child does will depend on how much pressure is in the lungs and how well the treatments work. ‚
What are the causes?
- Familial PH runs in families. It is caused by genetics.
- The cause is not known for idiopathic or primary PH.
- Sometimes, PH is caused by some other health problem. This is called secondary PH. It may be caused by:
- Blood clots or scarring in the lungs
- One side of the heart is not working well
- Heart or lung problem that happens before birth
- The body attacks its own cells and tissues
- Pauses or low breathing during sleep and other sleep problems
- Abnormal red blood cells
- Lower oxygen levels
- Use of illegal drugs like cocaine
What are the main signs?
- Problems breathing
- Tiredness
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Lightheadedness
- Passing out or fainting
- Fast or irregular heartbeats
- Swelling of the legs
- Bluish lips and nails when tired or crying
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
- Your doctor will take your childs history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs your child is taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs your child takes take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if your child is taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- The doctor will look for signs of PH by:
- Watching the way your child breathes
- Feeling the chest. The doctor will check for tenderness, vibration while talking, or deformity of the ribs.
- Listening to the lungs and heart with a stethoscope. The doctor will listen for wheezing or other sounds that are not normal.
- Feeling the abdomen. The doctor will check if your child's liver is large. If the heart has trouble pumping blood to the lungs, the blood may back up into the liver.
- Checking the feet, ankles, and legs. The doctor will look for swelling or a bluish color of the nails or lips.
There are a few types of tests your child may need to see if they have PH. The doctor may order: ‚
- Blood tests. These will check oxygen levels in the blood and look for other diseases.
- Echocardiogram. This takes pictures of the heart. The doctor will look at the size of the arteries and how well the heart is working.
- Chest x-rays. These will show the size of the heart. The doctor will also look for fluid in the lungs.
- Electrocardiography, or ECG. This records the heart's electric activity. Then, the doctor can see if the heartbeat is normal.
- CAT scan. This test will give a better view of the lungs, heart, and the blood supply.
- Heart cath. This is the most accurate way to diagnose PH. It measures the pressures in the arteries and veins on both the right and left side of the heart and around the lungs.
- Lung function test. This measures how well your child is breathing. It looks at the amount of air your child breathes. It also measures how well air moves in and out of the lungs.
- Exercise test. This checks for signs while your child exercises.
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
PH has no cure. Treatment is available to help ease signs. It may also slow the progress of PH. Your doctor may treat your child with: ‚
- Drugs
- Oxygen therapy
- Lifestyle and diet changes
- Surgery may be needed if other treatments do not work. It may also be needed if your child has very bad PH. Your child may need to have a heart or lung transplant or both. This would replace the damaged organs with healthy ones.
Are there other health problems to treat?
If PH is caused by other illnesses, your doctor may need to treat those illnesses first. Without treating the other illnesses, PH will likely not go away, no matter what type of PH treatment you receive. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- High altitude can make PH worse. Talk to your doctor before traveling or moving to an area at high altitude.
- Teach your child not to strain himself. Do not let your child do tiring activities or lift heavy objects.
- Give your child a balanced diet and help your child keep a healthy weight. Ask the doctor if your child needs a special diet. Give foods that are easy to digest.
- Ask your doctor what exercise is safe for your child. Let your child exercise regularly to build up the lungs and breathing.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help lower blood pressure in the lungs
- Prevent blood clots
- Increase blood flow to the heart
- Get rid of extra fluid
- Increase the amount of oxygen in the blood
- Help control abnormal heartbeats
- Prevent or fight an infection
- Prevent rejection of the new heart
What problems could happen?
- Heart failure
- Blood clots
- Irregular heart beats
- Bleeding of the lungs
- Coughing up blood
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/hypertension-hypertension/index_e.php ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pah/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pulmonary-hypertension/Pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Pulmonary Hypertension Association ‚
http://www.phassociation.org/page.aspx?pid=429 ‚
Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK ‚
http://www.phassociation.uk.com/living_with_ph/children_and_ph.php ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚