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Pulmonary Hypertension

I am extremely confused

05/24/2006

Question:

I had a cath which was 30/17-at which point my cardiologist said I did Not have pulmonary hpertension.

Yet in this year i have had several bouts of bronchitis,and I smoke.

Now my cardiologist is telling me i have secondary pulmonary hypertension from smoking......and he told me the values are reversable,if i stop smoking-yet I have not read that anywhere

I also had a recent echo that came out fine.

Can values change -and secondary pulmonary hypertension reverse-from non smoking and less bronchitis bouts?

Is my cardiologist correct-or all the literature I read correct? I argued with my doctor about what I read he says I am wrong -he states that values can reverse to normal???

I do not know what to think

Thank You

Answer:

Your pressures are mildly elevated from the absolute normal but still fall within the normal range. Smoking-related lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis can lead to increased pulmonary artery pressures. The pressures may also increase transiently if one has acute bronchitis or pneumonia.

For more information:

Go to the Pulmonary Hypertension health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Namita Sood, MD, FCCP Namita Sood, MD, FCCP
Associate Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University