Pulmonology

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in lungs and the right side of heart. In one form of pulmonary hypertension, tiny arteries in lungs, called pulmonary arterioles, and capillaries become narrowed, blocked or destroyed. This makes it harder for blood to flow through lungs, and raises pressure within lungs' arteries. As the pressure builds, the heart's lower right chamber (right ventricle) must work harder to pump blood through the lungs, eventually causing heart muscle to weaken and fail.