Pulmonary Hypertension

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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Pulmonary Hypertension Overview
• Pulmonary Hypertension Causes
• Pulmonary Hypertension Risk Factors
• Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medication
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Pulmonary Hypertension from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Pulmonary Hypertension - Describe Your Symptoms

Pulmonary Hypertension Overview

Pulmonary arteries are the blood vessels that move blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs where oxygen is received into the blood. The oxygenated blood (blood which carries oxygen) is then transported back to the left side of the heart via the pulmonary veins.

The pressure of blood circulating in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary blood pressure) is normally significantly lower than the systemic blood pressure (pressure of blood measured routinely which is coming out the left side of the heart). Normal systemic systolic blood pressure is typically between 120 to 140 mmHg. In the pulmonary system, the blood pressure is typically 20 to 25 mmHg.

If the pressure in the pulmonary arteries abnormally rises for any reason, the condition is referred to as  pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery hypertension, or pulmonary arterial hypertension. In general, this rise in pressure is caused by tightening or constriction of the blood vessels carrying the blood to the lungs. This constriction hinders the flow of blood in the vessels, causing the blood to travel with a higher force and through a higher resistance, leading to high blood pressure.

There are no certain data on the statistics and prevalence of pulmonary hypertension; because the condition is typically associated with other underlying diseases that are more readily diagnosed and treated.