Pulmonary Hypertension

Specialty

Blood pressure is the force of blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. For most adults, normal blood pressure is marked by a systolic reading of less than 130 mmHg and a diastolic reading of less than 80 mmHg. Systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) indicates the force of blood against artery walls during a heartbeat, and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading) is a measure of the pressure blood exerts on artery walls while the heart rests between beats. When blood pressure drops below a systolic reading of 90 mmHg and a diastolic reading of 60 mmHg, it can be considered low blood pressure. However, not all blood pressure readings below these levels are automatically a cause for concern. Furthermore, some people who are accustomed to elevated blood pressure may experience symptoms of hypotension when their blood pressure drops to "normal" levels What Is Considered Dang...

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe, progressive condition that affects the heart and lungs, who were treated with the novel first-in-class medication sotatercept on top of existing therapy experienced significant improvements in walking distance via a six-minute walking test—the study's primary endpoint and a validated surrogate for functional improvement and reduced symptom burden. Additionally, participants who received sotatercept also had an 84% lower risk of death or worsening of their condition compared with patients on standard therapy. The study is being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session Together With the World Congress of Cardiology. These results establish the clinical utility of sotatercept as a new approach to the treatment of PAH in combination with existing approved therapies. It's really a paradigm shift in how we will treat PAH in the future." Marius M. Hoeper, MD, of Hannove...

Introduction Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) greater than or equal to 20 mmHg as measured by right heart catheterization. 1,3 Several mechanisms behind the development of elevated pulmonary artery pressures have led to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of pulmonary hypertensive diseases into five distinct groups. 1 One of the foremost challenges in approaching a patient with pulmonary hypertension is the task of correctly diagnosing and classifying the disease in order to determine appropriate treatment. In some cases, optimal management of an associated disease is the primary treatment of choice, but in other situations targeted medications or surgical measures may be indicated. Over the last two decades, a substantial scientific effort has been invested in understanding the pathobiology behind WHO Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease affecting the pulmonary arteries and characterized by...

Blood pressure is the force of blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood. For most adults, normal blood pressure is marked by a systolic reading of less than 130 mmHg and a diastolic reading of less than 80 mmHg. Systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) indicates the force of blood against artery walls during a heartbeat, and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading) is a measure of the pressure blood exerts on artery walls while the heart rests between beats. When blood pressure drops below a systolic reading of 90 mmHg and a diastolic reading of 60 mmHg, it can be considered low blood pressure. However, not all blood pressure readings below these levels are automatically a cause for concern. Furthermore, some people who are accustomed to elevated blood pressure may experience symptoms of hypotension when their blood pressure drops to "normal" levels What Is Considered Dang...

Overview Asthma causes bronchospasms, inflammation, thick mucus and constriction in the airways. What is asthma? Asthma, also called bronchial asthma, is a disease that affects your lungs. It's a chronic (ongoing) condition, meaning it doesn't go away and needs ongoing medical management. Asthma affects more than 25 million people in the U.S. currently. This total includes more than 5 million children. Asthma can be life-threatening if you don't get treatment. What is an asthma attack? When you breathe normally, muscles around your airways are relaxed, letting air move easily and quietly. During an asthma attack, three things can happen: Bronchospasm: The muscles around the airways constrict (tighten). When they tighten, it makes your airways narrow. Air cannot flow freely through constricted airways. Inflammation: The lining of your airways becomes swollen. Swollen airways don't let as much air in or out of your lungs. Mucus production:...

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. The problem can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, symptoms can threaten your life. Asthma symptoms trigger swelling in the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs. This causes them to become smaller and tighter. Inflamed airways make it hard for air to flow through these tubes. When the airflow to your lungs is blocked, it is hard to breathe normally. While there is no cure for asthma, you can control the disease with proper treatment and medication. Most people can live a normal life when they manage their asthma symptoms. This article describes asthma symptoms and its causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It also discusses how to handle an asthma attack with and without an inhaler and how to prevent these episodes. PeopleImages / Getty Images Asthma Symptoms: What Does It Feel Like? Asthma doesn't produce the same symptoms...