Pulmonary Hypertension Definition & Overview

Definition

Pressure helps blood flow through blood vessels. Hypertension occurs when this pressure gets too high. When this happens in the blood vessels in the lungs it is called pulmonary hypertension.

Normal pressure for blood flow through the lungs is one-sixth of the pressure for the rest of the body. Pressure may rise for any number of reasons. It creates a potentially serious condition. The right side of the heart needs to pump harder to move blood against the pressure. If left untreated the right side of the heart can eventually fail.

Pulmonary Circulation

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

Pulmonary Hypertension
on June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

Encylopedia entry for Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary Hypertension by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
on June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

Encylopedia entry for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension(PPH; Unexplained Pulmonary Hypertension; Idiop