Lung-Pulmonology

Pulmonary Hypertension

The pulmonary hypertension program of the Mount Sinai Health System is an outstanding, comprehensive care center for patients with pulmonary hypertension. We provide a multidisciplinary approach to providing you all-inclusive diagnostic and therapeutic services for all forms of pulmonary hypertension, including pulmonary arterial hypertension. We are dedicated to providing and maintaining the highest standard of acute as well as chronic care, utilizing not only proven effective treatments but also, when appropriate, new and pioneering therapy.

What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by increased pressure in the vessels in the lungs. This complex disorder can be caused by many health conditions, including heart, lung, liver, blood, and immunologic diseases. Pulmonary hypertension is generally progressive and essentially incurable. Ultimately, pulmonary hypertension can lead to heart failure. However, recent advances in drug therapy have led to significant improvements in symptom management and survival.

Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms

Patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension may experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Leg swelling
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Fainting
  • Chest pain

Diagnosis

Our team of hypertension experts conducts the following tests in the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary hypertension:

  • Right heart catheterization with vasoreactivity testing
  • Echocardiography
  • Cardiac MRI
  • Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans
  • High-resolution CT scans
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • Polysomnography
  • Six-minute walk test
  • Cardiopulmonary exercise test

Treatment

At Mount Sinai, we specialize in the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension and tailor individualized treatment regimens precisely for each patient. Our goal is to improve your overall quality of life through proven regimens and innovative clinical research.

Our program offers all FDA-approved advanced therapies for pulmonary hypertension, including oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, and inhaled medications. As our patient, you also have access to pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition consultation, and many clinical trials investigating novel therapies.