Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary HypertensionPulmonary hypertension is elevated pressure in the blood vessels of the lung.Pulmonary hypertension is defined as an average pressure of greater than 20 mm Hg in the pulmonary artery, which is the large blood vessel leading from the heart to the lungs.Pulmonary hypertension can cause poor functioning of the heart, which may result in shortness of breath with exertion, fatigue, chest pain, swelling of the legs or abdomen, and dizziness or fainting.Pulmonary hypertension can affect both children and adults.It is more common in women, people aged 75 years or older, and Black individuals. How Is Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosed?The first recommended test is a transthoracic echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart that can estimate pulmonary artery pressure and assess how well the heart is functioning.