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Pulmonary Hypertension is High blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries and arteries on the right side of the heart causes pulmonary hypertension or PH. This might happen as a result of blood artery constriction, injury, or destruction. This hypertension might become chronic, resulting in a significant reduction in exercise tolerance. It's an uncommon lung disease in which the pulmonary arteries that deliver blood to the lungs harden and constrict, making blood flow more difficult and resulting in substantially greater blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
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Key Terms: Pulmonary Hypertension, pulmonary arteries, arteries, heart disorder, lung disorder
Pulmonary hypertension (PH)
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Pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disease in which the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs constrict, making blood flow problematic. As a result, the blood pressure in these arteries, known as pulmonary arteries, increases far higher than normal. The right ventricle of the heart is strained by excessively high pressure, which causes it to enlarge in size.
The right ventricle, which is overworked and enlarged, gradually weakens and loses its ability to pump enough blood to the lungs. Right heart failure may arise as a consequence of this. PH affects people of all ages, colours, and ethnicities, although it is significantly more frequent in young adults and almost twice as common in women as it is in males.
Pulmonary Hyperextension and Normal Heart
Causes
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High blood pressure in the lungs can often be difficult to diagnose. Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension is the name given to this illness in that situation. In certain circumstances, though, the issue is caused by a different issue. High blood pressure in the lungs can be caused by the following diseases:
Liver diseases, rheumatic disorders, lung conditions
Other medical disorders that can cause pulmonary hypertension include chronic liver disease and cirrhosis; rheumatic disorders such as scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus; and lung problems such as tumours, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Read More: Fatty liver
Heart diseases
Pulmonary hypertension can be caused by a variety of heart conditions, including aortic valve disease, left heart failure, mitral valve disease, and congenital heart disease.
Thromboembolic disease
Pulmonary hypertension can occur as a result of a blood clot in a major pulmonary artery.
Low-oxygen conditions
Pulmonary hypertension can also be caused by a high altitude lifestyle, obesity, and sleep apnea.
Genetics
In a limited percentage of cases, pulmonary hypertension is inherited. If you have a family history of pulmonary hypertension, you should seek medical help as soon as possible if symptoms appear.
Symptoms
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The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension typically do not appear until the disease has advanced. Early symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath during routine activity
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Racing heartbeat
- Right upper abdomen pain
- Decreased appetite
Later symptoms include:
- Feeling light-headed, especially during physical activity
- Fainting
- Swelling in the ankles or legs
- Bluish lips or skin
Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension
Classification
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Depending on the cause, it is divided into five categories:
Group 1: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Connective tissue disorders
- Gene mutation
- Chronic liver disease
- Drugs such as illegal prescription drugs
- Heart abnormalities by birth
- HIV infection
Group 2: Left-sided heart disease
- Long-term high blood pressure or mitral valve disease
- Lower left heart chamber failure
- Left-sided valvular heart disease
Group 3: Lung disease
- Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
- Lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Interstitial lung disease
Group 4: Chronic blood clots
- Chronic blood clots in the lungs
Group 5: Other conditions
- Polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia
- Systemic disorders such as sarcoidosis and vasculitis
- Metabolic disorders such as thyroid and glycogen storage disease
- Tumours pressing against pulmonary arteries
- Multiple organ disorders
- Blood disorders
Diagnosis and treatment
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Pulmonary hypertension can appear gradually, with no warning signs or symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may be caused by asthma or other lung or cardiac problems.
The doctor may inquire about symptoms and risk factors, such as other medical diseases and family history, in order to diagnose pulmonary hypertension. Having a family member with pulmonary hypertension raises the chances of getting it.
Things to Remember
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- Pulmonary hypertension is a rare lung disease in which the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs constrict, making blood flow problematic.
- Pulmonary hypertension can occur in the context of a variety of different illnesses, including lung disease and heart disease.
- Pulmonary hypertension is associated with a high risk of heart failure.
- Pulmonary hypertension affects people of all ages, including children, and it becomes more common as they become older.
- Women, non-Hispanic black persons, and people aged 75 and more are more likely to have pulmonary hypertension.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is pulmonary hypertension? (3 Marks)
Ans. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the blood arteries travelling from the heart to the lungs are under too much pressure.
The blood arteries in the lungs generate an increased amount of muscle in the wall as a result of pulmonary hypertension. To receive oxygen, the heart pumps blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. Because blood does not have to travel very far, the pressure in this side of the heart and the artery carrying blood from the right ventricle to the lungs is typically low—much lower than systolic or diastolic blood pressure.
When the pressure in this artery becomes too high, the arteries in the lungs constrict, causing blood to flow less efficiently.
Ques. What causes pulmonary hypertension? (3 Marks)
Ans. High blood pressure in the lungs' arteries due to some types of congenital heart disease, connective tissue disease, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, liver disease (cirrhosis), blood clots in the lungs, and chronic lung diseases like emphysema are all common underlying causes of pulmonary hypertension. Genetics is also a factor.
Pulmonary hypertension can occur in the context of a variety of different illnesses, including lung disease and heart disease. Pulmonary hypertension is associated with a high risk of heart failure.
Ques. What are the risk factors for pulmonary hypertension? (2 Marks)
Ans. Pulmonary hypertension affects people of all ages, including children, and becomes more common as they become older. Women and those aged 75 and more are more likely to develop pulmonary hypertension.
Ques. What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension? (2 Marks)
Ans. A bluish tint to the lips and skin, chest pressure or discomfort, dizziness or fainting episodes, exhaustion, racing pulse or heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and swelling in the ankles and legs are some of the signs and symptoms of this condition.
Ques. Why do the pulmonary arteries narrow? (2 Marks)
Ans. The process, according to scientists, begins with damage to the layer of cells that lines the tiny blood veins in the lungs. The way these cells interact with the smooth muscle cells in the artery wall may alter as a result of this damage, which occurs for unknown causes. As a result, the smooth muscle contracts and develops at a faster rate than usual, narrowing the vessel.
Ques. How is pulmonary hypertension treated? (3 Marks)
Ans. There is no cure for pulmonary hypertension. However, there are many different types of treatments, including:
- Inhaled medicine
- Medicine is given through the veins under the skin
- Medicine to reduce swelling in the feet (diuretics)
- Oxygen therapy
Ques. Explain the process of inspiration under normal conditions. (3 Marks)
Ans. The process through which fresh air enters the lungs is known as inspiration. The diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and abdominal muscles are all crucial. The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles are the most important muscles for inspiration.
The diaphragm and external intercostal muscles contract, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity. Relaxation of abdominal muscles occurs during inspiration, allowing the diaphragm to compress the abdominal organs. As a result, the overall volume of the thoracic cavity grows, and the air pressure in the lungs decreases. Because of the increased pressure outside the body, air is now rushing into the lungs. The airflow sequence is.
Ques. Describe how our brain gets a continuous supply of oxygen from the atmosphere. (2 Marks)
Ans.
Inhalation of fresh air → trachea → bronchi → lungs → alveoli → diffusion of O2 into blood (RBC) → formation of oxyhemoglobin → some in plasma → pulmonary vein → carry it to heart → left auricle → to ventricle → Dorsal aorta → Carotid artery to the brain dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin, O2 supplied to the tissue, partial pressure of O2 facilitates diffusion.
Ques. Write a note on bronchitis and its prevention. (3 Marks)
Ans. Hypertrophy, hyperplasia, seromucous glands, and goblet cells lining the bronchi are all symptoms of bronchial inflammation. One of the signs is a cough with thick greenish-yellow sputum. Infection is indicated by increased mucus secretion. Tobacco smoking, as well as pollutants, are to blame.
Bronchitis Prevention -
1) Avoiding Allergen Exposure.
2) Antibiotic theory and bronchodilator drugs, among other things, are used in treatment.
Ques. What is hypoxia, artificial hypoxia & Anaemic hypoxia? (3 Marks)
Ans. Hypoxia is a condition in which the tissues are deprived of oxygen. The two forms of hypoxia are artificial and anaemic hypoxia.
At heights over 2400 metres, artificial hypoxia is induced by a lack of oxygen. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mental weariness, and a lack of breath are among the symptoms of mountain sickness.
Low Hb levels or carbon monoxide poisoning create anaemic hypoxia, which is caused by a reduction in blood O2 capacity.
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