What is Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome?

There are different ways how you can treat pulmonary hypertension syndrome. This is a rare syndrome and sometimes it can become life threatening. The increased blood pressure will damage heart valves and if nothing is done than you will eventually die from it. Treatment consists of medication, lung and/or heart transplants, but most important, a change of lifestyle. Pulmonary hypertension syndrome is often causes by certain diet drugs like Fen-phen. Although there are different treatment methods, the disease is not curable and the prognosis are not good.

Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension

So how do you notice this disease? What are the symptoms? There are various symptoms that may occur and all are not specific. The common symptoms are:

* Fatigue
* Dizziness
* Breathing difficulties
* Fainting
* Swelling of the legs/ankles
* Chest Pain
* Blue discoloration of the lips

These are the most important symptoms associated with this disease. The primary treatment consists of getting control on the symptoms. With the help of medication patients are often able to lead a normal life.

Anticoagulants are the primary medication. They will prevent the coagulation of blood. Anticoagulants reduce the chance on the forming of new clots and prevent existing clots to increase in size. Because these drugs prevent clot forming, the heart will pump the blood easier through the body. Research has shown that patients that take these drugs have a higher survival rate.

Heparin and Warfarin are common examples of anticoagulants. These are both substances that are already present in the human body. They both work in different ways in the body to make the blood thinner. Because the blood is thinner this will reduce the chance on blood clots. These drugs have some side effects which are not very pleasant. The disadvantage is that other drugs often interfere with the working effect of Heparin and Warfarin. Side effects include hemorrhages, necrosis, osteoporosis and purple toe syndrome.

Other medication is not aimed at making the blood thinner, but at dilating the blood vessels. When the blood vessel is dilated, the blood pressure will go down. The most common Vasoldilators are Flonan and Tracleer.

Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome is a very serious disorder. Modern medication is able to reduce the symptoms and make the situation stable, but it is not able to cure this disease.

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