Definition:
Pulmonary hypertension is a disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries is abnormally high. In severe pulmonary hypertension, the right side of the heart must work harder than usual to pump blood against the high pressure. When this continues for long periods, the right side of the heart enlarges and functions poorly, and fluid collects in the ankles (edema) and the belly. Eventually the left side of the heart begins to fail. Heart failure caused by pulmonary disease is called cor pulmonale. The most common cause of cor pulmonale are various combinations of emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and/or fibrosis.
When pulmonary hypertension occurs in the absence of any other disease, it is called primary pulmonary hypertension. It affects more women than men; it's cause is not known.
Pulmonary hypertension that results from another disease of the heart or lungs (for example, congenital heart disease, pulmonary thromboembolism, COPD, or interstitial fibrosis) is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.
Source: ~NIH~
See also:
Pulmonary Edema
All About COPD
All About Emphysema
Updated: 1-17-2006
Pulmonary hypertension is a disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries is abnormally high. In severe pulmonary hypertension, the right side of the heart must work harder than usual to pump blood against the high pressure. When this continues for long periods, the right side of the heart enlarges and functions poorly, and fluid collects in the ankles (edema) and the belly. Eventually the left side of the heart begins to fail. Heart failure caused by pulmonary disease is called cor pulmonale. The most common cause of cor pulmonale are various combinations of emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and/or fibrosis.
When pulmonary hypertension occurs in the absence of any other disease, it is called primary pulmonary hypertension. It affects more women than men; it's cause is not known.
Pulmonary hypertension that results from another disease of the heart or lungs (for example, congenital heart disease, pulmonary thromboembolism, COPD, or interstitial fibrosis) is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.
Source: ~NIH~
See also:
Pulmonary Edema
All About COPD
All About Emphysema
Updated: 1-17-2006
