Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment
Pulmonary hypertension treatment focuses on controlling elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries, improving symptoms, and managing the underlying cause. Because pulmonary hypertension can result from heart disease, lung conditions, chronic blood clots, or pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment is tailored to each patient's diagnosis and severity.
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
A comprehensive evaluation may include an echocardiogram, ECG, blood tests, lung function testing, imaging, exercise assessment, and, when required, right heart catheterization to confirm pulmonary hypertension. Understanding the underlying cause helps doctors select the most appropriate treatment approach.
Treatment Options for Pulmonary Hypertension
Depending on the condition, treatment may include pulmonary hypertension medicines, oxygen therapy, diuretics, anticoagulants, or specialist pulmonary vasodilator therapies. Medicines such as endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, prostacyclin therapies, and other targeted treatments may be considered for appropriate patients.
For chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, procedures such as pulmonary endarterectomy or balloon pulmonary angioplasty may be appropriate in selected patients. Treatment may also focus on managing associated heart or lung conditions.