- Main symptoms
- Diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension
- What causes pulmonary hypertension
- How the treatment is done
- Pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
Pulmonary hypertension is a situation characterized by increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which leads to the appearance of respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath during exertion, mainly, in addition to difficulty in breathing, weakness and dizziness, for example.
In most cases, the cause of pulmonary hypertension is not known, however it can be related to lung, heart, inflammatory diseases or be due to the increased resistance of the vessels in the lungs. In all cases, it is important that pulmonary hypertension is identified and treated by the pulmonologist or general practitioner through the use of drugs that work by relaxing the blood vessels.
Main symptoms
The signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension usually only appear in the most advanced stages of the disease, the main symptom being shortness of breath during exertion. Other symptoms that may be indicative of pulmonary hypertension are:
- Fainting during efforts; Tiredness; Dizziness; Chest pain; Difficulty breathing; Weakness, as there is little oxygen reaching the tissues.
Shortness of breath occurs initially during efforts, but as the disease worsens and becomes more serious, it can happen even at rest. In addition, as pulmonary hypertension is closely related to cardiac changes, symptoms related to the heart may also appear, such as swelling in the legs and palpitations.
According to the symptoms presented by the person, pulmonary hypertension can be classified into classes:
- Class I: Presence of pulmonary hypertension on exams, but does not cause symptoms; Class II: Shortness of breath during physical activity, limiting physical efforts; Class III: Important limitation of physical activity, shortness of breath that recovers with rest; Class IV: Shortness of breath and tiredness even at rest, with difficulty for any physical effort.
Diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension
The diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in the early stages of the disease is difficult, as the observed changes can also be suggestive of other diseases. Therefore, the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension must be made by assessing the clinical history, physical examination and carrying out various tests, such as chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function test and tomography.
To confirm the results, the doctor may also request a catheterization, which will measure exactly the pressure inside the pulmonary artery.
What causes pulmonary hypertension
Anyone can develop pulmonary hypertension, but it is more common in women over 30. Although not fully understood, changes in pulmonary circulation are related to increased inflammation, fibrosis and narrowing of blood vessels. Thus, the main causes are:
- Primary: they happen due to changes in the formation of the pulmonary vessels, for unknown causes, being, in this case, called idiopathic, and also for hereditary causes, and diseases, such as thyroid diseases, scleroderma, lupus, HIV infection and diseases blood, for example. Secondary: caused by changes in the heart, such as heart failure, and lung diseases, such as emphysema, sleep apnea, pulmonary thrombosis or sarcoidosis, for example.
All of these causes cause difficulty in the circulation of blood within the lung, which can further strain the heart and worsen the disease, increasing the risk of complications.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for pulmonary hypertension aims to treat the cause and alleviate the symptoms, and it is therefore recommended by the doctor to use drugs to improve circulation and reduce lung pressure, such as anticoagulants, vasodilators, antihypertensives, diuretics and oxygen mask therapy. However, in very severe cases, heart or lung transplantation may be the only solution.
Breathing exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, can also help in the recovery and improvement of symptoms.
Pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
This condition arises when there is a change in blood circulation of the baby's lungs and heart, which causes difficulty in oxygenating the body, and symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, blue lips and fingers and swelling in the cup. The baby's pulmonary hypertension usually happens due to asphyxia inside the uterus or during childbirth, pneumonia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, or due to excessive use of medications by the mother, such as indomethacin or aspirin, for example.
The treatment is done with the use of oxygen therapy, with a mask or in a incubator, keeping the baby warm and without pain, in addition to medications or procedures to correct defects in the heart. In the initial and more severe phase, it may also be necessary for breathing to be done with the help of devices, which can be removed after signs and symptoms have improved.
