Pulmonary Hypertension (PHTN): High Blood Pressure Treatment & Diagnosis

Overview

Pulmonary hypertension is a disorder that affects the lungs and the heart. Patients with this condition have high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart failure.

The multidisciplinary team of specialists at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic offers expert treatment to address this complex condition. The Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic is the only facility in the UAE dedicated to treating pulmonary hypertension.

What We Treat

Pulmonary hypertension is a lung disorder in which the arteries leading from the heart to the lungs become more narrow than usual. Pulmonary hypertension raises blood pressure, which affects the functioning of the heart and lungs. Some common symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Heart palpitations (rapid heartbeat)
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness.

Specialists at the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic work to find the cause of the condition, as well as determine its severity, through comprehensive diagnostic testing. Subsequently, the team works together to develop a treatment plan designed to reduce symptoms and increase the patient’s quality of life.

Although pulmonary hypertension can become worse over time, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, patients can improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of heart failure.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension

The first visit typically consists of a physical exam. The examination is later followed by a series of diagnostic tests designed to assess the severity of the condition.

These tests may include:

Echocardiogram: A test that uses sound waves to reveal the size, shape, and functioning of the heart.
Pulmonary function tests: A range of tests used to measure how well the lungs breathe in and out, and how efficiently the lungs provide oxygen to the blood.
CT scan: A scan that provides detailed pictures of the lungs and the inside of the chest.
Ventilation/perfusion lung scan (VQ): An imaging test that evaluates how well air and blood circulate within the lungs.
Cardiac MRI: A scan that uses radio waves and magnets to provide images of the heart.
Right heart catheterization: A test in which a catheter is placed in the heart and the pulmonary artery and is used to observe blood flow and blood pressure from inside the lungs and heart.

Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension

Once a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is confirmed, the physician develops a personalized treatment plan for the patient.

The main treatment option is medical therapy. As this treatment requires expertise in the management of medication and side effects, regular follow-up consultations are necessary to monitor the patient’s response to therapy, as well as to adjust treatment according to the patient’s needs.

The pulmonary hypertension clinic collaborates closely with the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, as well as other specialists, to provide the best treatment plan.