lupus/pulmonary hypertension/pericarditis

[Elizabeth__0__0]

      I am a 40 patient, with lupus, that was diagnosed last year and has been
   mild to this point (though antidsDNA is positive). Following some sporadic
  chest pains and constant burning sensations, short of breath, I had an
  echocardiogram. It shows pericarditis with a little fluid, and elevated
  pulmonary pressures of 37. I had a perfusion / ventalation lung scan this
  morning.
     How high is 37? What is normal?
     Do pressures continue to escalate?
     What tests might be performed?
     What treatments are there?
     All sources that I've found paint a very bleak picture for pulmonary
  hypertension. Is this pressure of 37 high enough to be concerned?
  Thanks for your help.  

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

_
Dear Elizabeth
Pulmonary hypertension can be serious, as you write. A pulmonary pressure of 37 depends on whether you are referring to a mean pressure or a systolic pressure. If it is a systolic pressure, that is not too bad. If it is a mean pressure reported, then it is a little more serious. Clots in the lung can cause this  - your ventilation scan should answer this question. Other lung diseases can also lead to secondary pulmonary hypertension. If you smoke, you should stop.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.