Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) or a rarer type, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), can be life changing. We're here to lessen the impact of these diseases. Doctors at Sentara have decades of experience diagnosing and treating the diseases. They customize care plans that help people continue the activities they love

The Sentara Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic is accredited by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) as a regional clinical program. This prestigious certification reflects our commitment to providing you with the latest PAH treatments.

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What Are PH and PAH?

PH is high blood pressure in the lungs. With the condition, blood vessels in your lungs stiffen and become narrower. As a result, the right side of your heart must work harder to pump blood through your lungs. PAH affects tiny arteries in the lungs.

PH and PAH symptoms

Pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension symptoms are sometimes overlooked in their earliest stages. At times, they are similar to asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) symptoms. Talk with your doctor if you experience the following:

Chest pain
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Swelling in your ankles and legs

PAH can lead to concerns as arteries in your lungs tighten and stiffen. The right side of your heart:

Works harder to push blood through the lungs and to the rest of the body
Enlarges due to the extra work, causing heart muscle to thin and weaken
Starts to fail and cannot pump enough blood to the body

Risk Factors for Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension and PAH are most common among young women. You may be more likely to develop an inherited type if you have a family history of the condition. Other risk factors include:

Being obese and experiencing obstructive sleep apnea
Being pregnant
Having diseases such as congenital heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, lupus and scleroderma
Living at high altitude
Taking certain drugs such as methamphetamines and fen-phen

Diagnostic Tests for Pulmonary Hypertension and PAH

As an accredited regional clinical program of the PHA, our team is exceptionally skilled at diagnosing PAH. You may have tests including:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Echocardiogram (echo test)
Lung function tests
Six-minute walk test
Ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q scan)
Right heart catheterization

Please learn more about our cardiac imaging and diagnostic testing services.

PH and PAH Treatments

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