Pulmonary Hypertension Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Pulmonary Hypertension - Essay ExampleGenetic factors may account for mutations in the blood vessels which may manifest in the increased prevalence of smooth muscleman cells and fibroblasts in the walls of the blood vessels (Ali, Summer, and Levitzky, 2005).Pulmonary hypertension may also be caused by congenital mettle defects like atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and congenital heart problems which have go forth to right shunts (Ali, Summer & Levitzky, 2005).In instances when the pneumonic hypertension would worsen, the right-side blackjack may overwhelm systemic pressure and poorly oxygenated mixed venous blood bypasses the lungs and enters the systemic circulation, causing severe shunt-related hypoxemia (Ali, Summer & Levitzky, p.129, 2005).Non-specific symptoms like dyspnoea on exertion, fatigue, angina pectoris, and syncope (Ali, Summer & Levitzky, 2005). These are however symptoms which also apply to other cardiopulmonary disorde rs like ischemic and valvular heart disorder.Hoarseness is a symptom more specific to pulmonary hypertension because it is caused by compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve collectible to the enlarged main pulmonary artery (Ali, Summer & Levitzky, 2005).In cases of cardiac overload, sodium and water retention increases under the influence of the aldosterone hormone. atomic number 11 and water retention consequently manifests as volume overload causing distended neck veins (jugular vein distention), ascites, and fork edema.Other symptoms may include tachypnea, dizziness, apprehension, fear, persistent hypoxemia, excessive fatigue, and cyanosis (Canobbio, 2006). Dizziness, fatigue and syncope are largely due to insufficient cardiac output (Newman, 2008).Initial diagnostic tests may include chest x-ray, spirometry, ECG, and echocardiography, and CBC avocation a complaint of significant exertional dyspnea in patients who seem relatively