Pulmonary hypertension is only caused by lifestyle-related problems.
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Although pulmonary hypertension can be caused by lifestyle-related issues such as obesity, it may also be caused by other physiological factors which you may not have any direct control over. For example, certain tumors may end up growing inside the lungs which press against the arteries and end up causing constrictions. In these cases, the blockage in the arteries isn t caused by the narrowing of the arteries but due to the pressure from an external source. In such cases, surgery to remove the tumor is the only resolution to the problem.
Which is the most dangerous symptom of pulmonary hypertension?
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The most common and dangerous symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are blood clots which may form within the arteries of the lungs due to obstructions in the pathways. This can cause hypertension to get worse and also put pressure on the heart. Even if the clot has existed only for a short length of time, this can cause a heart attack or put excessive pressure on the lungs resulting in functional problems as well. Specialist medications can be used for smaller clots but in case of more severe problems surgery may be required to remove those clots.
You may end up requiring a double organ transplant due to pulmonary hypertension.
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Pulmonary hypertension, if left untreated for a longer time period, may not only cause lung problems but also result in heart failure. There have been cases where long-standing pulmonary hypertension, which wasn t resolved, resulted in the requirement for a double organ transplant as the lungs completely failed along with parts of the heart. Thus it is important that you resolve the issue by making lifestyle changes or medications and keep these under control.
In which of these cases are you most likely to develop pulmonary hypertension?
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Being at high altitudes for prolonged period exposes you to oxygen-depleted air. This puts excessive pressure on your pulmonary arteries which in turn leads to the arteries being ruptured or being strained all the time. Many mountaineers and rock climbers have been diagnosed with this disorder as they spend extended amounts of time at high altitudes where the lungs also remain stressed. To treat this, relaxants and medications that encourage urination are usually prescribed.
Pulmonary hypertension is caused by general high blood pressure within the body.
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As the name states, pulmonary hypertension is the disruption of the blood flow within the lungs and thus causes the pressure of the blood flow to go up within the pulmonary arteries due to the disruptions. You may also have general hypertension within the body but that may not be directly connected to it. Even in this case, doctors may prescribe vasodilators which relax the arteries to encourage the flow of blood to relieve the built up pressure.