Pulmonary Hypertension defined by John Hopkins Lupus Center

In order for the organs in your body to work, they must receive oxygen. The right side of your heart is responsible for pumping blood from your veins back to your lungs to receive oxygen; the oxygenated blood then returns to the left side of the heart, where it is pumped to the rest of the body for use. Pulmonary hypertension is a unique form of hypertension (high blood pressure) in which the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs thickens, reducing the amount of blood that can move through it in a given amount of time. In order to counter this resistance, your heart must pump harder and faster. When the heart fails to keep up, the rest of the body suffers by receiving less and less oxygen (a condition called hypoxia).

Pulmonary hypertension occurs in about 10% of people with lupus. On rare occasions pulmonary hypertension responds to corticosteroids and immunosuppressive treatment. However, if it is not reversible (meaning, if it is not due to active lupus), then your doctor can discuss with you one of the FDA-approved medications for pulmonary hypertension.

Here’s a video about Pulmonary Artery Disease
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

The Cardiologist was doing the annual or Bi-annual test they look to see if there are any blockages. One of those test showed I had it. But it does effect your heart and lungs. He will notify my Pulmonologist. I do have high blood pressure.

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as an excessive pressure created in the arteries, extending to the lungs.

Hypertension is a systemic increase in blood pressure.It can come from disease such as Lupus. But using Diet pills etc can cause it. I have never taking a diet pill. Didn’t weigh 100-105 till mid 30s. Went up to 117 at 42 maintained that weight till I was 52=went up to 130 and stayed till 57 then I just kept gaining until now.

Both Cardiologist or Pulmonary Dr can test for this. I had Nuclear Test, Stress Test, Ultra Sound Scans on upper and lower body and check the pressure etc.

I am not real knowledgeable in the PAH but know it’s another not curable but hopefully can be managed with control of Lupus.

Thanks @A MyLupusTeam Member.

Mentioned Users

A MyLupus...

@GenlancoYankowski I have COPD, Emphysema and Asthma. I use Breo Elipta, Ventolin HFA, Spiriva and I have oxygen at night.