Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (pronunciation: pul-mon-ary ar-te-ri-al hy-per-ten-sion) is a medical condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.
Etymology
The term "Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension" is derived from the Latin word "pulmonarius" meaning "of the lungs", the Greek word "arteria" meaning "windpipe, artery", and the Greek word "hyper" meaning "over, above, beyond" and "tension" from the Latin word "tensio" meaning "a stretching".
Definition
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a type of pulmonary hypertension that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. In one form of pulmonary hypertension, tiny arteries in your lungs, called pulmonary arterioles, and capillaries become narrowed, blocked or destroyed.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, swelling in the ankles, legs and eventually in the abdomen (ascites), and color changes in the skin.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension involves a series of tests including echocardiogram, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, perfusion scan, and right heart catheterization.
Treatment
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension includes medications such as endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, prostacyclin analogs, and calcium channel blockers. In severe cases, lung transplantation may be considered.
Related Terms
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