Heart and Vascular

Pulmonary Hypertension

Our team manages pulmonary hypertension so you can live as fully as possible. We offer testing for early diagnosis and advanced care options.

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Personalized Care for PH Provides Hope

If you have pulmonary hypertension (PH), you deserve compassionate care from a team that understands your condition. We craft an individualized plan based on your unique symptoms to help you get the most out of treatment.

Nationally Recognized Cardiovascular Excellence

We consistently ranks among the nation’s top heart and vascular hospitals, including recognition from Healthgrades, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek for outstanding cardiac care and outcomes.

Specialized Expertise with Advanced Treatment

Your care team includes cardiologists, pulmonologists <link to Pulmonary> and nurses who specialize in pulmonary hypertension. We take a step-by-step approach to managing your condition. You benefit from access to the latest clinical trials and treatment options.

Support to Live Well with PH

While there may be no cure for PH, we help you live as fully as possible with an effective combination of treatments. Beyond clinical care, we offer heart and vascular support groups that provide a safe space to learn about your condition and connect with others who share your experiences.

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Overview

When the arteries in the lungs narrow due to disease or other health conditions, the heart must work harder to pump blood. As the lower right heart chamber (ventricle) strains, blood pressure rises in the pulmonary (lung) arteries. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can affect people of all ages and backgrounds.

There are different forms of pulmonary hypertension. Most types go undiagnosed until they are advanced because early symptoms can resemble those of other conditions.

You may experience:

Chest pain, especially during physical activity
Fainting
Lightheadedness, especially when climbing stairs or standing up
Persistent fatigue
Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
Swelling in the ankles, legs or abdomen

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Get Answers with Early PH Testing

If you experience symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (PH), make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment.

When we suspect PH, we perform a series of tests to assess how well your heart and lungs are working. These may include:

Echocardiogram—an ultrasound of the heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)—a recording of the electrical current in the heart.
Right heart catheterization—a measurement of the pressure in the pulmonary arteries to see how well the heart is pumping blood.
Six-minute walk test—a simple way to check breathing capacity.

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Treatments for Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare chronic condition. While there is no cure, it can be life-threatening if not properly cared for. Treatment is evolving rapidly, with more ways to preserve lung function and improve your quality of life. Our team offers the latest medications and care options. Your multidisciplinary team may include:

Pulmonologists
Cardiologists
Pharmacists
Nurse practitioners (NPs)
Respiratory therapists (RTs)
Nutritionists

Our specialists work together to determine the medication that best fits your needs. You may take treatments by mouth, receive them through a vein (IV) or inhale them. We monitor your progress closely to ensure the treatment works effectively.

It’s vital for you to be proactive and make lifestyle changes to stay as healthy as possible. We may advise you to:

Avoid heavy physical activities and lifting
Avoid traveling to high altitudes
Stop smoking

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Research & Clinical Trials

Experts at The Christ Hospital Health Network continually research new techniques for treating hypertension that doesn’t respond to traditional methods.

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