Primary pulmonary hypertension

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Respiratory system

Primary pulmonary hypertension

Definition:

Pulmonary hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. "Primary" means that there are no other diseases of the heart or lungs causing the high blood pressure.

Alternative Names:

Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension; Familial primary pulmonary hypertension

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of primary pulmonary hypertension is unknown. Some cases are caused by a genetic defect.

The small arteries of the lung narrow throughout the lungs. Pulmonary hypertension is the result of greater resistance to blood flow. As a result of the increased workload caused by this resistance, the right side of the heart becomes enlarged. Eventually, progressive heart failure may develop.

This disease is rare. It affects more women than men.

Review Date: 2/1/2005
Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, D.O., Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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