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Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Info

Lung disease and heart disease are ailments that affect thousands of Americans each year. The causes and symptoms of these diseases can vary. Knowing what type of lung or heart disease that you have will help you to better control your symptoms and maintain your quality of life for as long as possible. Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is one type of disease that affects Americans.

PPH Information

PPH is a disease that is actually fairly rare. The severity of the issue also varies greatly among those who develop the disease. Unlike many of the typical lung diseases that are out there, PPH also affects the bloodstream. In those who have primary pulmonary hypertension, the blood pressure flowing through the pulmonary artery, which is the artery that runs from the heart to the lungs, is extremely high. The exact cause of this area of high blood pressure is unknown. The blood pressure will generally be as much as twice the blood pressure in a person without PPH. Primary pulmonary hypertension has been linked to the small blood vessels that are located in the lungs and used to oxygenate the blood.

Causes of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

The exact causes of primary pulmonary hypertension are not exactly known. The disease can affect people of all ages, though it is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 40. Anyone, even children, can develop the disease, however. Doctors have only been able to link together that people with certain other medical conditions are more likely to develop PPH than others and that some other determining factors, such as medications, can also increase the risk.

PPH Symptoms

"PPH" does have symptoms that are recognizable to help those who may have it to seek help. One of the main symptoms is excessive fatigue. A person may find themselves suddenly more tired than they have been in the past when no other factors have changed. Difficulty breathing as well as dizziness or fainting can also indicate the development of PPH. Another main symptom for "primary pulmonary hypertension" is swelling of the legs or ankles. A person may develop a bluish hue to their lips and skin. Chest pains develop once the disease has reached more advanced stages.