Pulmonary Hypertension (cont.)

Medical Author:

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, 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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Medical Treatment

As mentioned in previous sections, the treatment of secondary hypertension focuses on treating the underlying cause.

Regardless of the cause, if hypoxia (low oxygen level) is present, supplemental oxygen may be beneficial.
If swelling of the legs (edema) or fluid retention due to right-sided heart failure is evident, then treatment with diuretics (water pills) may be advised.
If congestive heart failure is the cause, then proper management and treatment of this condition is necessary.
If chronic lung disease is the cause, then it should be treated appropriately.
Sleep apnea should be properly diagnosed treated.
Cases of pulmonary hypertension related to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma require evaluation and management by a rheumatologist.
Long-standing and recurrent blood clots to the pulmonary arteries require long term treatment with blood thinner medications.