Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Go to... Go to... About Pulmonary Hypertension What Is Pulmonary Hypertension? Pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a complex and often misunderstood disease. The term PH means high blood pressure in the lungs. In “regular” hypertension (also known as high blood pressure or “systemic hypertension) the pressure in the arteries throughout the body is higher than it should be. This can be measured with a blood pressure cuff. In PH, the blood vessels specifically in the lungs are affected. They can become stiff, damaged or narrow, and the right side of the heart must work harder to pump blood through. Each form of PH is different, so it is important for newly-diagnosed patients to find a PH specialist who can accurately find what is causing their PH and develop a treatment plan that is right for that specific type of PH as soon as possible. Every person with PH is different, and new research is being conducted every day with the potential to improve the outlook for people living with this disease. Once in the care of a PH-treating health care team and on appropriate therapy, people with PH can live many years. The heart and lungs work together to carry oxygen throughout the body. The heart is a muscle made up of two halves that pumps the blood. As deoxygenated blood returns from the rest of the body, it first goes into the right side of the heart, which pumps it into the lungs. The lungs take carbon dioxide from the blood — which the body releases as you exhale — and replace it with oxygen that you have inhaled. After the blood picks up the oxygen, it is considered “oxygenated” again and is ready to go to other areas of the body. The blood then travels from the lungs into the left side of the heart. The left side of the heart then pumps the blood to the rest of the body. This process starts over again with each heart beat. The right side of the heart is smaller and weaker than the left side because it only pumps blood through the lungs — which is normally a low-pressure system. The left side of the heart is more muscular as it has to pump blood throughout the rest of the body, against gravity and up to your head and all the way to your toes and back again. The most common symptoms of PH can also be caused by other more common medical problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, diagnosing PH is difficult and requires a specialist. Physical examination signs can include visible or enlarged veins on the side of the neck, irregular heart sounds or swelling in the abdomen or legs and feet. Symptoms are common across all types of PH, however the numbers below are reported for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) Brown LM, et al. Chest. 2011;140(1):19-26 Support About PH Types of PH Diagnosis Treatments Newly Diagnosed Living With PH COVID-19 and PH Emergency Situations Find a Doctor PH Care Centers PHA Registry PHA Live PHA Classroom Insurance Guide Provide Feedback to Your Specialty Pharmacy Resources Popular Topics for Everyone What Is pulmonary hypertension? Exercise and PH Traveling with PH Prepare for emergencies and natural disasters Insurance issues and paying for your health care COVID-19 and Pulmonary Hypertension Empowered Patient Toolkit What Is PH? ¿Qué es la hipertensión pulmonar? What Are the Symptoms of PH? ¿Cuáles son los síntomas de la hipertensión pulmonar? Pulmonary Hypertension Quick Facts People with PH can experience shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, heart palpitations or edema (swelling). PH affects people of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds. Although anyone can get PH, there are risk factors that make some people more likely to develop the disease. Not all PH is the same. There are five different groups of PH based on different causes. The symptoms of PH can be mistaken for other diseases. People who think they may have PH should get a diagnosis from a PH specialist. There is no cure for PH, but there are treatments that can manage PH and help patients feel better. ADDRESS AND PRIVACY Pulmonary Hypertension Association 8401 Colesville Road, Suite 200 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Support Line: 1-800-748-7274 301-565-3004 Webmaster@PHAssociation.org Privacy Policy | Terms of Use SEARCH THIS SITE Search for: DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the PHA website is provided for general information only. It is not intended as legal, medical or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified professionals who are familiar with your individual needs. PHA does not endorse or recommend any commercial products or services. 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