Pulmonary Hypertension is a rare lung disease that is featured by high blood pressure in pulmonary arteries. It occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels is higher than usual. It is a severe medical condition and has received huge media attention in recent years due to its association with popular diet drugs.
Types of Pulmonary Hypertension
The World Health Organization has classified pulmonary hypertension into five groups.
Group 1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) occurs when the arteries in the lungs become narrowed, thickened or stiff. However, pulmonary hypertension is categorized as Group 1 if:
- It has no known cause
- It is inherited
- It is due to drugs or toxins
- It is due to conditions like connective tissue disease, HIV infection, liver disease, congenital heart disease, sickle cell disease, or schistosomiasis;
- It is caused by conditions affecting the veins
- It is caused by conditions affecting small blood vessels of the lungs.
Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension
Group 2 pulmonary hypertension can be due to left heart diseases such as mitral valve disease or long-term high blood pressure. However, the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension is left heart disease. It occurs when the left heart fails to keep up with the blood returning from the lungs and raises the pressure in the lungs. The common left heart diseases may that causes PH, include:
- Left ventricular systolic dysfunction
- Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
- Valvular disease
- Congenital heart defects
Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension
Group 3 pulmonary hypertension is associated with lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders. It occurs when the arteries in the lungs tighten so that blood reaches only to the areas of the lungs that are receiving the most air and oxygen. This tightening of lungs results in high blood pressure causing Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension. The most common diseases associated with Group 3 PH, include:
- Chronic high-altitude exposure
- Lung developmental abnormalities
- Alveolar hypoventilation disorders
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Interstitial lung disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Group 4 Pulmonary Hypertension
Group 4 Pulmonary hypertension or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is due to blood clots in the lungs or general clotting disorders. This results in scar tissues which block the normal blood flow making the right side of the heart work harder. It is rare and can be cured with pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgery to remove blood clots.
Group 5 Pulmonary Hypertension
Group 5 pulmonary hypertension is a residuary group which includes less-common causes that do not fit into any of the other four groups. Group 5 PH is triggered by various disorders and conditions, including:
Disorders like polycythemia Vera and essential thrombocythemia
Systemic disorders including sarcoidosis and vacuities
Metabolic disorders like thyroid and glycogen storage disease
Other conditions like kidney disease and tumors
Conclusion:
All forms PH are extremely dangerous, and a person suffering from any of these disorders should seek medical attention for Pulmonology Treatment in Hyderabad as quickly as possible. Hyderabad has the best Pulmonology doctors and Pulmonology hospital in Hyderabad with world-class expertise in dealing with Pulmonology disorders.