Pulmonary hypertension affects the heart and lungs. The condition often has a profound impact on quality of life. What’s more, some of the drugs used to treat pulmonary hypertension require special prescribing privileges, monitoring, equipment, and handling. A primary care physician is often the first person you see for symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. “Most people will have symptoms such as shortness of breath, whether it’s with exertion or rest,” says pulmonary hypertension expert Samuel A. Allen, DO, director of the pulmonary hypertension center at Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Mich. “Others may have some palpitations, and a more common symptom would be leg swelling,” Dr. Allen says. Having such symptoms should lead to testing. If the diagnosis is pulmonary hypertension, you will be referred for more specialized care. RELATED: Life With Pulmonary Hypertension
The Pulmonary Hypertension Medical Team
Medical professionals who may be involved in pulmonary hypertension care and treatment include:
PulmonologistsCardiologistsPharmacistsNurse practitioners (NPs)Respiratory therapists (RTs)NutritionistsOther medical practitionersCaregiver
Pulmonologists specialize in treating lung diseases, including pulmonary hypertension. These specialists examine patients regularly, develop each patient’s treatment plan, and oversee the care provided by the other team members. Pulmonary hypertension forces the right ventricle of the heart to work harder to pump blood through the lungs. The “gold standard” of diagnosis is a test called a right heart catheterization, which measures the blood pressure inside the pulmonary artery. The test can also measure the rate at which the heart pumps blood and can detect leaks between the right and left sides of the heart. Heart failure is also a possible consequence of pulmonary hypertension. As a result, cardiologists will be an essential part of your care team because they can interpret the test results and monitor heart function. In fact, some cardiologists specialize in treating pulmonary hypertension. Pharmacists will ensure that the drugs that you take for your pulmonary hypertension needs are available in the hospital, clinic, or pharmacy. They also keep the doctors and nurses apprised of your drug regimen and any possibly dangerous interactions with other drugs you may be taking. Nurse practitioners (NPs) will provide follow-up and day-to-day care and may be your point person if you have questions about symptoms, medications, and side effects. One of their most important responsibilities is to help patients manage complex drug regimens and side effects. Some of the medicines used to treat pulmonary hypertension can cause nausea, vomiting, and aches and pains. You will likely also see respiratory therapists (RTs) during the course of your pulmonary hypertension treatment. “Their role in the outpatient management is the administration of pulmonary function studies and the six-minute walk testing [according to] the American Thoracic Society’s six-minute walk guidelines,” Dr. Allen explains. This standardized test is simple: The RT measures how far a patient can walk in six minutes, to give the team a better idea of the person’s breathing capacity. People with pulmonary hypertension often require supplemental oxygen, and the RT will also check oxygen levels. After the diagnosis, the RT administers follow-up tests and helps ensure that the patient is taking medications appropriately. The right-sided heart failure associated with pulmonary hypertension leaves the heart unable to process fluid normally, leading to dangerous levels of fluid buildup in the body. Nutritionists can prescribe a low-sodium diet that helps minimize fluid retention as much as possible. Depending on the severity of the disease and a patient’s needs, other practitioners and specialists may also be part of the team. For example, a clinical psychologist can help with the emotional side of having a progressive, incurable disease. If you have other conditions that are contributing to pulmonary hypertension, you will likely work with doctors who specialize in managing those conditions. Finally, although current medications for pulmonary hypertension slow the progression of the disease, some people require a caregiver if activities of daily living become difficult. Caregivers can either provide direct medical care or help with chores and other tasks, such as driving to and from medical appointments. Treatment for pulmonary hypertension is evolving rapidly, with an increasing number of options available to preserve lung function and improve quality of life. From the patient’s perspective, that makes it important to take charge of your care. Seek out the most qualified medical team. Stay in touch with them about your symptoms, goals, and the newest developments in pulmonary hypertension research and treatment.
