Pulmonary Hypertension Specialist

Kamal Anjum, MD, FCCP Our Services Pulmonary Hypertension

Kamal Anjum, MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Medicine & Critical Care located in Hollywood, FL

Pulmonary hypertension can develop for years before you experience symptoms, and to complicate matters, it’s caused by a wide range of underlying problems. That’s why you need experienced lung specialists like the team at K. Anjum, MD, FCCP, in Hollywood, Florida, to assess your symptoms and accurately diagnose pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Kamal Anjum provides early treatment that can help prevent complications like heart problems and blood clots in your lungs. If you have any questions about pulmonary hypertension, call the office or schedule an appointment online.

Pulmonary Hypertension Q & A

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries carrying blood from your heart to your lungs. In some cases, pulmonary hypertension may also develop in the small arteries that transport blood through your lungs.

The problem usually begins when the arterial lining becomes inflamed, narrowing the space inside the vessels and making it hard for blood to flow through your lungs. When this happens, your heart works harder to force blood through the arteries. 

What causes pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is such a complex disease that it’s classified into five groups, based on the underlying causes. These are a few examples of possible causes from all the groups:

  • COPD
  • Sleep apnea
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Connective tissue disease
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Heart valve disease
  • HIV infection
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic kidney failure
  • Chronic lung blood clots
  • Tumors pressing against pulmonary arteries

Genetic mutations and certain medications can also lead to pulmonary hypertension. Sometimes, the underlying cause can’t be determined.

What symptoms develop due to pulmonary hypertension?

Your symptoms may start out as mild and generic, making them easy to confuse with other health problems. As the condition progresses, you’ll experience symptoms such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Cough (dry or producing blood)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarseness
  • Wheezing
  • Lightheadedness or fainting
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Swelling in your abdomen, legs, or feet

At first, you may have shortness of breath only when you’re active, and then as the condition worsens, you’ll have a hard time breathing even when you rest.

What type of treatment might I receive for pulmonary hypertension?

When your physical exam, medical history, and symptoms suggest pulmonary hypertension, the team may perform or order one of many possible diagnostic tests to verify your diagnosis and determine the severity of your disease.

After diagnosing pulmonary hypertension, the team at K. Anjum, MD, FCCP, devotes extensive time to explaining the seriousness of this illness and teaching you about all the aspects of your disease, including the potential for complications.

They work with you to develop a treatment plan, ensuring that you fully understand and agree to participate with every part of the plan. Your treatment may include medications that help improve blood flow, lower the pressure in your pulmonary arteries, and boost your heart’s ability to pump blood into your lungs.

Lifestyle changes are also an important part of your treatment. Changes in your diet and getting more exercise can help treat the conditions that contribute to pulmonary hypertension.

When you develop symptoms suggestive of pulmonary hypertension, call K. Anjum, MD, FCCP, or schedule an appointment online.

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