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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
PA pressure of 81and pulmonary hypertension
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PA pressure of 81and pulmonary hypertension
by mole, Aug 21, 2004 12:00AM
In 1989 I suffered approximately 6 pulmonary embolisms. I have 2 Greenfield Filters in my inferior vena cava. I suffer from severe venous insufficiency as well as other chronic ailments. I love to play golf. I play to a +1 handicap and was supposed to qualify for the U.S Mid-Amateur on Tuesday. The last 6 weeks I've noticed I am tired 24/7 and I get short of breath just walking from my back door to the alley (about 80 feet). I get short of breath over just about anything. I've always gotten short of breath but nothing like what I am experiencing now. I saw a cardiologist on Thursday and they did an echo. They said the right side of my heart was enlarged, I had a leaky valve and the PA pressure measured 81 which seemed to alarm the doctor quite a lot. Can anyone tell me what I'm up against and what I may be looking at. He said there is a place in Chicago "Rush University Medical Center" that has some luck bringing pressure down. My first question is a PA pressure of 81 high? Can it be brought down? Any information would be much appreciated.
Thank You
Larry
Thank You
Larry
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Aug 31, 2004 12:00AM
, Aug 31, 2004 12:00AM
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. These are the blood vessels that bring blood to the lung from the heart. Normal pulmonary artery pressure is 25/15 mm Hg. The mean value ranges from 12 to 16 mm Hg. So your pulmonary artery (PA) pressure of 81 is high, without a doubt.
Pulmonary embolism is the most likely cause of your high PA pressure. The following question must be answered -- Is your worsening pulmonary hypertension the result of the effect of the pulmonary emboli you have had in the past or the result of new pulmonary emboli? If it is due to new pulmonary emboli, you must be treated so that no more pulmonary emboli develop.
There are medicines that will bring down your PA pressure. In addition surgery, called atrial septostomy, may be an option. You should consider being evaluated at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago to see what they would suggest to bring down your PA pressure. People with pulmonary hypertension are also evaluated at the University of California at San Diego and the University of Colorado.
Pulmonary embolism is the most likely cause of your high PA pressure. The following question must be answered -- Is your worsening pulmonary hypertension the result of the effect of the pulmonary emboli you have had in the past or the result of new pulmonary emboli? If it is due to new pulmonary emboli, you must be treated so that no more pulmonary emboli develop.
There are medicines that will bring down your PA pressure. In addition surgery, called atrial septostomy, may be an option. You should consider being evaluated at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago to see what they would suggest to bring down your PA pressure. People with pulmonary hypertension are also evaluated at the University of California at San Diego and the University of Colorado.
