pulmonary hypertension

[gayleeallen]

where do i find out about this, my doctor keep telling me that i dont want that, but i know that i have it. i know for sure and how to bring it on with medication. it feels like i can not get air into my lungs. when i stop taking medication it goes away. i have tested my theory many times since the early 1980s. i was born 1952. my first experience with pulmonary hypertension was after an surgery had sodempentathall   was my anesthetic .

[beanie485]

http://www.4ventavis.com/patient_what_is_pah.asp?s_kwcid=TC|6584|pulmanary%20hypertension||S||4572043981

HERE IS A WEBSITE FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT

What is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)?

High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lung

Pulmonary hypertension means high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a type of pulmonary hypertension where the high blood pressure in the blood vessels connecting the heart to the lungs causes changes to the blood vessels that make it difficult for the heart to pump enough blood to the lungs. These changes produce a constant state of high blood pressure in the vessels of the lungs.

PAH causes changes in the pulmonary artery1,2

    * The healthy pulmonary artery is open and elastic, allowing blood to flow through easily.
    * As PAH changes the pulmonary artery, resistance to blood flow increases.
    * In advanced PAH, the pulmonary artery narrows and stiffens from blood vessel wall thickening, scar tissue, and clotting.



PAH causes narrowing of blood vessel walls*

*not actual sizes


PAH also changes the heart and the way it works1,2,4

    * Over time, extra pressure causes the heart to enlarge and become less flexible.
    * As this cycle continues, less blood flows out of the heart and into the lungs, decreasing the body’s supply of oxygen.

An imbalance of natural chemicals may contribute to PAH

3 key pathways may be involved3:

    * Endothelin: excess endothelin may cause tightening, excess cell growth, and inflammation.*3,5
    * Prostacyclin: too little prostacyclin may cause tightening, excess cell growth, and blood clots.3
    * Nitric oxide: too little nitric oxide may cause tightening of artery walls.3

*Statement is based on observations reported from in vitro or animal trial. The clinical significance in humans is unknown.

What could trigger PAH?

Some causes for the chemical imbalances:

    * Genetic susceptibility4
    * Chemical (fen-phen, cocaine, methamphetamine)4
    * Illness (congenital heart disease, connective tissue diseases, HIV)3,4
    * Others and unknown3

Read about:
# Signs and Symptoms
# Diagnosing PAH
# Treating PAH
# Living with PAH
# PAH Learning Center
# Useful Links




IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Because it lowers your blood pressure, Ventavis may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. With Ventavis, the most common side effects are reddening of the face caused by dilation of blood vessels (flushing), increased cough, low blood pressure (hypotension), headaches, nausea, spasm of the jaw muscles that causes trouble opening your mouth, and fainting (syncope); other serious adverse events reported with the use of Ventavis include congestive heart failure, chest pain, supraventricular tachycardia, dyspnea, peripheral edema, and kidney failure. Before you start taking Ventavis, talk to your doctor to make sure you understand the side effects you might get.

[bsmsl]

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood presure.  That is pretty easily discerned at the doctor's office.  Also, difficulty breathing is not a symptom of pulmonary hypertension.  Many anesthetics can cause difficulty breathing.  You may want to discus diseases that cause difficulty breathing with your doctor and/or request a pulmonary function test or spirometry.