Family Physician Views On Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as sustained elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure above 25mmHg at rest or 30mmHg on exercise. The normal mean pulmonary arterial pressure is 17mmhg, which is one-fifth of mean systemic blood pressure. When to suspect Pulmonary Hypertension is difficult to diagnose clinically because the symptoms are similar to those of other heart or lung conditions but can be suspected when symptoms of unexplained breathlessness or symptoms out of proportion to co-existent heart or lung diseases should alert the possibility of pulmonary hypertension.

Classification and causes: Primary pulmonary hypertension: it is due to pulmonary vascular resistance. Idiopathic:  where no cause is found. It may be familial or sporadic Secondary pulmonary hypertension:  Definite cause is found Congenital heart diseases like ASD VSD PDA Truncus arteriosus, total anomalous pulmonary…