Pulmonary Hypertension

Introduction Evidence shows that chronic stress is one of the important pathogenic factors of hypertension and target organ damage. 1,2 Stress leads to activation of the HPA axis and increased sympathetic drive of cardiovascular center, which eventually increases blood pressure. Activation of microglia is one of the most significant cerebral changes induced by chronic stress. 3,4 There is accumulating evidence that stress induce gliosis and inflammation in the rodent RVLM. 5–7 It is noted that an excessive inflammatory response is featured not only by elevated inflammatory cytokines, but also by increases in mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). Overactive brain local renin-angiotensin system (RAS), oxidative/nitrosative stress, and neuroinflammation in concert play a pivotal role in triggering augmenting sympathetic activity in the centers. 8–12 We previously reported that stress induced mitochondrial damage in the microglia of RVLM. ...

Acid reflux occurs when acid leaks from the stomach back up into the esophagus. An occasional bout of acid reflux is generally not a cause for concern. However, a frequent pattern of acid reflux may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a chronic digestive issue that can cause medical complications. Sometimes, acid reflux occurs together with shortness of breath. In some cases, acid reflux causes shortness of breath. People who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be at increased risk of have asthma or other respiratory conditions. This article describes the link between acid reflux and shortness of breath, outlines some of the symptoms of acid reflux, and looks at the treatment options available. Acid reflux occurs when acid leaks up from the stomach back up into the esophagus. When this happens, the acid can irritate the airways, causing them to swell. This can result in breathing difficulties. The link between GERD and asthma Researchers have also identif...

Asthma can develop at any age, but most people with asthma are diagnosed in childhood. There are many ways that a doctor evaluates and diagnoses people with asthma — but a chest X-ray ​is mostly used when someone is hospitalized or treated in an emergency department because of a severe asthma attack. Learn when an asthma X-ray may be used, what other methods are used to diagnose asthma (especially early in life), and available treatments. X-rays send small amounts of electromagnetic radiation through your chest to create images of the bones and tissues. In terms of an asthma diagnosis, an X-ray of the chest can provide a doctor with basic images of the lungs and main bronchial tubes (also known as the airways). A chest X-ray may also help a doctor rule out other diseases of the lungs. Chest X-rays can help a doctor: identify a pneumothorax, which occurs when air leaks into the space between your lung and chest wall check for pneumonia diagnose heart failure Chest X-rays aren't the ...

Asthma is a respiratory condition caused by inflammation and constriction (narrowing) of the airways. It's a long-term (chronic) condition that requires lifelong management and treatment to help prevent symptoms and reduce your chances of having an asthma attack. But how do you know for sure if you have asthma? If you're experiencing a cough or shortness of breath, learn what differentiates asthma from other respiratory conditions and how a doctor can confirm a diagnosis, so you can get the right treatment for your symptoms. Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath are among the most common asthma symptoms. In severe flare-ups, you may also feel tightness in your chest. Unlike other respiratory conditions, asthma symptoms tend to flare up when you're exposed to triggers, such as: allergens that irritate the airways and cause inflammation exercise that can put stress on the airways and lead to inflammation cold weather conditions that constrict the airways Symptoms also t...

November 22, 2021 1 min read Source/Disclosures Disclosures: Hallstrand and Khatri report no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors' relevant financial disclosures. ADD TOPIC TO EMAIL ALERTS Receive an email when new articles are posted on Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on . " data-action="subscribe"> Subscribe ADDED TO EMAIL ALERTS We were unable to process your ...

Breathing in causes a slight reduction in both the air pressure inside the chest and systolic blood pressure. Pulsus paradoxus (PP) is an exaggerated reduction in blood pressure that can occur during inhalation. The condition can occur as a result of an underlying issue with the heart or lungs. Some people with asthma may experience PP, while others will not. As breathing difficulties can trigger PP, doctors may use the presence of PP to help determine the severity of asthma or the effectiveness of asthma treatments. This article describes what PP is and how asthma may cause it. It also outlines how doctors diagnose PP and lists some other conditions that may cause this type of variation in blood pressure. PP is an exaggerated variation in blood pressure that occurs during the respiratory cycle. Understanding blood pressure is key to understanding PP. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) measures the force the heart exerts on the artery walls each time it beats. This is different than diasto...

Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction occurs when the left lower chamber of the heart (the left ventricle) has trouble relaxing in between beats because it has stiffened over time. It interferes slightly with the heart's most important job—getting oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.  When the left ventricle is stiff (restrictive cardiomyopathy), it cannot fill up completely, the way a brand-new balloon might be difficult to fill up with air because it is so tight. When this happens, the incoming blood backs up and congests nearby organs while the rest of the body doesn't get enough blood. Verywell / Jessica Olah How Your Heart Beats A single heartbeat is divided into two basic phases, the systole (systolic) and the diastole (diastolic). During the systole phase, both ventricles contract, or squeeze. The left ventricle propels blood into the arteries for circulation throughout the body. The right ventricle pumps blood into the lungs for ...