Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Pulmonary hypertension

5-minute read

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious medical condition. It can lead to heart failure and requires specialist treatment. Pulmonary hypertension is not the same as common hypertension, which is high blood pressure.

What causes pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is caused by damage, narrowing, blockage or other changes to the arteries in the lungs. These changes increase the pressure needed to keep the same amount of blood flowing to the lungs, forcing the heart to work harder. Left untreated, pulmonary hypertension can damage your heart.

Pulmonary hypertension can be caused by a range of problems, including:

Read more here about the different forms of pulmonary hypertension.

What factors increase the risk of pulmonary hypertension?

Issues that can raise the risk of pulmonary hypertension include:

  • a family history of pulmonary hypertension and certain other disorders
  • obesity combined with obstructive sleep apnoea
  • pregnancy
  • living at high altitude
  • certain toxins, medications or drugs
  • smoking

What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension can develop slowly, and early warning signs might not be noticeable. Symptoms worsen as the disease progresses and the heart cannot keep up the flow of blood through the lungs.

The most common symptoms are:

  • breathlessness, at first during exercise, and eventually when resting
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • chest pain or chest pressure

Other signs include:

  • fainting spells as well as dizziness
  • heart palpitations or a racing pulse
  • swelling in the ankles, legs and abdomen
  • a bluish colour in the lips and skin
  • rapid weight gain due to the build-up of fluid

How is pulmonary hypertension diagnosed?

If you have the signs of possible pulmonary hypertension, your doctor will examine you and ask about symptoms, medical conditions, medications, risk factors and family history.

Tests and procedures to diagnose pulmonary hypertension, as well as its cause and severity, include:

How is pulmonary hypertension treated?

If you are diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, your doctor will talk to you about treatment options such as:

  • medications
  • oxygen therapy
  • surgery or other procedures

Your doctor may also ask you to:

Living with pulmonary hypertension

The treatment of pulmonary hypertension can ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Your doctor may ask you to:

  • weigh yourself daily, since gaining weight rapidly may be a sign your condition is getting worse
  • stay as active as possible, while observing any restrictions advised by your doctor
  • avoid birth control pills and getting pregnant
  • avoid air travel or staying at high altitudes
  • avoid situations that lower blood pressure, such as hot tubs, saunas and long baths
  • get vaccines, as recommended by your doctor
  • get medical advice before taking any other medicine

If you experience anxiety or stress living with pulmonary hypertension, ask for help. Support groups can help you to manage your situation.

Resources and support

More information about pulmonary hypertension and how to connect with others is available here:

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: November 2020


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Pulmonary hypertension - Better Health Channel

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure on the lungs.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Pulmonary hypertension - MyDr.com.au

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs) is higher than normal, putting a strain on the right side of the heart.

Read more on myDr website

Pulmonary Hypertension - St Vincent's Lung Health

Learn more about pulmonary hypertension, the causes, symptoms, possible tests and treatments.

Read more on St Vincent's Hospital Lung Health website

Pulmonary Hypertension - St Vincent's Heart Health

Learn more about pulmonary hypertention, the causes, symptoms, possible tests and treatments.

Read more on St Vincent's Hospital Heart Health website

Going on holiday - Lung Foundation Australia

Tegan’s story Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension It’s something that I was either born with, or grew into, or slowly developed over time

Read more on Lung Foundation Australia website

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) | HeartKids

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common birth defect that means there is a hole in the heart. Learn more at HeartKids.

Read more on HeartKids website

Sickle cell disease

Read more on NSW Health website

Cardiac rehabilitation | Heart Foundation

Cardiac rehab is a program of support, exercise and education. It helps your recovery after you’ve been diagnosed with a heart condition.

Read more on Heart Foundation website

Chronic neonatal lung disease | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

What is chronic neonatal lung disease? Chronic neonatal lung disease (CNLD) is a general term for persisting respiratory problems in premature babies

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Voice changes - MyDr.com.au

Voice changes can happen with a number of minor illnesses, but sometimes a change in the voice can be a sign of a more serious problem.

Read more on myDr website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.