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By: Uchenna Ani-okoye

Complications from Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

The numerous complications that are related to pulmonary hypertension can lead to a number of fatal outcomes in the patients that have contracted this disorder. However, you don’t have to worry too hard about it. Despite the grave situation that you find yourself in, there are a number of treatments that are available to you, these treatments aim at curing or preventing the complications from pulmonary hypertension.

Some serious complications that can result from it are blood clots. A blood clot that forms where it shouldn’t can be fatal. If clots for in the lungs arteries then it can pose a serious threat by disrupting the already blocked or narrow blood vessels, thereby halting the circulation of blood in the lungs. This coagulation or clotting of one’s blood can be cured through the administration of anti-coagulants. However, it’s important that you realise that anti-coagulants have their own set of benefits and risks for you to think about, so they must be considered by you and your doctor before you take any of them.

Another complication may be the build up of fluid in the body. There are two different kinds of edemas, ascites and pedal edema, which are amongst the many complications associated with pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary edema is also capable of developing into a complication, whereby fluids will fill up the lungs. This could become fatal, as the build up of fluid can prohibit the proper exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen to the lungs. Medication for this issue (edema) includes diuretics, which are very useful. A low sodium and low fluid diet is also capable of managing this complication.

The hearts right ventricle enlarging is an issue that leads to its failure, and is a complication that is the most serious of all of those related to pulmonary hypertension. It’s also possible that it could lead to complete heart failure.