Primary Pulmonary Hypertension - Treatment

Treatment for pulmonary hypertension:

Specific treatment must be based on:

  • your age, overall health, and medical history
  • extent of the disease
  • your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
  • expectations for the course of the disease
  • your opinion or preference

Treatment may include one or more of the following:

Medications

  • anticoagulants - to decrease the tendency of the blood to clot and permit blood to flow more freely
  • diuretics - to decrease the amount of fluid in the body and reduce the amount of work the heart has to do
  • drugs - to help lower blood pressure in the lungs and improve the performance of the heart in many patients
  • calcium channel blocking drugs - to improve the heart's ability to pump blood

Supplemental oxygen
Some patients also require supplemental oxygen delivered through nasal prongs or a mask if breathing becomes difficult.

Lung transplantation