Pulmonary HypertensionSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart work harder than normal.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension; Familial primary pulmonary hypertension; Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension; Primary pulmonary hypertension; PPH; Secondary pulmonary hypertension; Cor pulmonale - pulmonary hypertension
The right side of the heart pumps blood into the pulmonary artery and then through the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. Blood returns to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped to the rest of the body.
When the small arteries (blood vessels) of the lungs become narrowed, pressure builds up and the right side of the heart is put under pressure. This is called pulmonary hypertension.
Over time, this causes the right side of the heart to become larger and eventually it may malfunction. This condition is called right-sided heart failure, or cor pulmonale.
Pulmonary hypertension may be caused by:
- Autoimmune diseases that damage the lungs, such as scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
- Birth defects of the heart
- Blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism)
- Heart failure (of the left side of the heart)
- Heart valve disease
- HIV infection
- Low oxygen levels in the blood for a long time (chronic)
- Lung disease, such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis or any other severe chronic lung condition
- Medicines (for example, certain diet medicines)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
In rare cases, the cause of pulmonary hypertension is unknown. In this case, the condition is called idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Idiopathic means the cause of a disease is not known. IPAH affects more women than men.
If pulmonary hypertension is caused by a known medicine or medical condition, it is called secondary pulmonary hypertension.
Shortness of breath or lightheadedness during activity is often the first symptom. A fast heart rate (tachycardia) may be present. Over time, symptoms occur with lighter activity or even while at rest.
Other symptoms include:
- Ankle and leg swelling
- Bluish color of the lips or skin (cyanosis)
- Chest pain or pressure, most often in the front of the chest
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Fatigue
- Increased abdominal size due to fluid buildup
- Weakness
People with pulmonary hypertension often have symptoms that come and go. They report good days and bad days.
There is no cure for pulmonary hypertension. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent more lung damage. It is important to treat medical disorders that cause pulmonary hypertension, such as obstructive sleep apnea, lung conditions, and heart valve problems.
Many treatment options for pulmonary arterial hypertension are available. If you are prescribed medicines, they may be taken by mouth (oral), received through a vein (intravenous, or IV), or breathed in (inhaled).
Your provider will decide which medicine is best for you. You will be closely monitored during treatment to watch for side effects and to see how well you are responding to the medicine. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your provider.
Other treatments may include:
- Blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots, especially for some forms of pulmonary hypertension
- Oxygen therapy at home
- Lung transplant, or in some cases, heart-lung transplant, if medicines do not work
Other important tips to follow:
- Avoid pregnancy.
- Avoid heavy physical activities and lifting.
- Avoid traveling to high altitudes.
- Get a yearly flu vaccine, as well as other vaccines such as the pneumococcal (pneumonia vaccine), and the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Stop smoking.
University Hospital Heart Failure Program
Farhan Raza is a Cardiologist and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Raza is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension. He is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Hypertension, Hypertension, Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), Heart Transplant, and Thrombectomy. Dr. Raza is board certified in Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, and Internal Medicine. Dr. Raza is currently accepting new patients.
UVA Health Bronchoscopy Suite
Andrew Mihalek is a Pulmonary Medicine provider practicing medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Mihalek is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Interstitial Lung Disease, Gastrostomy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Mihalek is currently accepting new patients.
Wakemed Specialists Group LLC
Kishan Parikh is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist and a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Parikh is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Heart Failure, Hypertension, and Heart Transplant. Dr. Parikh is currently accepting new patients.
How well you do depends on what caused the condition. Medicines for IPAH may help slow the disease.
As the illness gets worse, you will need to make changes in your home to help you get around the house.
For people with severe disease, lung transplant, or in some cases, heart-lung transplant can be considered.
Contact your provider right away if:
- You begin to develop shortness of breath when you are active
- Shortness of breath gets worse
- You develop chest pain
- You develop other symptoms
- You feel lightheaded or dizzy
- You have persistent palpitations
Summary: The primary purpose of this study is to assess the effect of TX000045 on pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in participants with pulmonary hypertension secondary to interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and to assess the safety and tolerability of TX000045 in participants with PH-ILD.
Summary: The objective of this study is to examine the association between urinary and plasma biomarkers and change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) among patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Published Date: May 04, 2026
Published By: Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Hoeper MM, McLaughlin V. Pulmonary hypertension. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 69.
Lammi MR, Mathai SC. Pulmonary hypertension: general approach. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 83.
Maron BA. Pulmonary hypertension. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 80.
Poch D, Mandel J. Pulmonary hypertension. Ann Intern Med. 2021;174(4):ITC49-ITC64. PMID: 33844574 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33844574/.