Natural Treatments For High Blood Pressure Are Available

By Kathy Forcey

Pulmonary hypertension is a fairly rare disease. Although not currently curable, pulmonary hypertension treatment exists that can relieve many of your symptoms and make you more comfortable.

PH affects the heart and lungs and is not a very common disorder.This disease occurs when blood vessels between the heart and lungs are constricted or blocked. The result is a spike in your pressure as your heart pumps harder to get blood through. The huge strain on the heart makes it become enlarged and cannot work efficiently or effectively. This usually brings on heart failure.

As with most acute or chronic illnesses, the first medical therapy is medication in the form of pills. You may need to take anticoagulants to prevent blood clots and let the blood flow more freely. Excess fluid in the body's tissue can cause swelling and make breathing more difficult. Diuretics are used to reduce that extra water. Vasodilators cause lowered blood pressure levels so your heart is not as overworked.

One course of action to treat pulmonary hypertension is surgery. All surgeries are dangerous, and you should seek a second opinion before deciding on surgery. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy can be performed to remove a clot in the artery if that is the cause of your condition. If you have an advanced level and develop both heart and lung failure, your situation is grim. Thankfully, this procedure is rarely seen as most cases can be kept from progressing that far.

The only known cure for pulmonary hypertension is a surgically performed lung transplant. There is a shortage of donors and a long waiting list, however. This procedure is only for advanced cases that did not respond to other types of medical attention and is a last effort. Once the lung transplant is effective, the heart eventually returns to its normal size and the symptoms disappear. It is costly, dangerous, and lung donors must be a correct match for it to be successful.

There are several lifestyle changes you can make to keep your symptoms under control. Try to reduce stress by relaxing so your blood pressure won't spike. Don't smoke unless you want to make things a lot worse. Keep your salt intake fairly low and stay on a fresher diet without so many processed foods. Moderate exercise is helpful but should be undertaken only under the advice of a doctor.

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious disorder that can defeat you emotionally as well. Don't let this disorder keep you from living your life since pulmonary hypertension treatment can be very effective. Talk with your doctor and work out the course of treatment that fits your situation. The sooner you can begin treatment, the better your chances of improving your quality of life. - 31820

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