Pulmonary hypertension is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects over 30 million people worldwide. The condition is characterized by narrowing of the vessels in the lungs causing elevated lungs pressures. If untreated it ultimately leads to the right side of the heart to fail resulting in death.
Symptoms of this life threatening condition include shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and the abdomen, chest pain and in advanced cases, passing out. Pulmonary Hypertension can be caused by a multitude of conditions which include: connective tissue disease such as scleroderma and lupus, infections such as HIV, genetic mutations, congestive heart failure, disease of the lungs such as COPD, clotting in the lungs, and various other systemic conditions such as sarcoidosis.
Treatment includes medications, and/or various procedures to monitor the disease and relieve symptoms. With proper care, this disease can be cured. At Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego we have the only board certified heart failure team in the south bay that is experienced in taking care of this lethal disease. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, it is very important that they are treated by advanced heart failure specialists who are trained in treating this condition.
Call Cardiovascular Institute of San Diego immediately to make an appointment for a consultation with our pulmonary hypertension specialist today.