Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one of the types of pulmonary hypertension that can lead to the narrowing of the lung arteries. The condition can create high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. It is often hard to identify the symptoms due to the similarities it shares with other medical conditions. Even though there is no permanent cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), there are certain medicines and treatments that help to slow down the progression of the disease. Today, we are going to discuss the treatment options that are available for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Symptoms Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Blue fingers or lips: Individuals may experience blue fingers or lips due to oxygen deprivation
- Chest pain: Patients may experience chest pain due to the PAH.
- Dizziness: Individuals may have tiredness or dizziness due to suffocation.
- Racing or pounding of heartbeat: Patients may experience a fast heartbeat, feeling of racing or pounding of the heart.
- Shortness of breath: Individuals may experience shortness of breath, which worsens over time.
- Swelling (edema): Individuals may have swelling in the feet and legs.
Comprehensive Approaches to Managing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
1. Medical adherence:
- Prostacyclin Analogs: They are currently used to treat PAH, which can act as a vasodilator and has antiplatelet properties and an anti-remodeling effect. This medication helps mimic the body's natural prostacyclin (vasodilator) activity.
- Endothelin Receptor Antagonists: An ERA is a type of medication belonging to the targeted therapy used to treat PAH in individuals. It aids in slowing down the disease progression and can reverse the heart and lung damage that was caused by the PAH effect. Endobloc 5mg tablet contains an active component such as Ambrisentan, which is an endothelin receptor antagonist that exerts its therapeutic effect by selectively blocking the effects of endothelin, a substance that causes blood vessels to constrict and tighten. By inhibiting endothelin's action, this medication promotes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) in the pulmonary arteries, reducing the resistance to blood flow and lowering pulmonary arterial pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers: It is the first medicine which is approved for the treatment of PAH in the patients. These medicines act on the smooth vascular muscle to dilate in the PAH patients and also help lower the pulmonary artery pressure.
- Blood thinners: Your doctor may prescribe you a blood-thinning medicine to lower the risk of blood clots in the PAH. Medicines like warfarin, heparin, fondaparinux, argatroban, dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban are used to treat PAH in patients.
- Diuretics: Diuretics are medicines used to control blood pressure and prevent right heart failure due to right ventricle overload in PAH patients.
- Digoxin: Digoxin is a medicine used to increase the cardiac output of PAH patients and is also used in patients with right ventricular failure.
2. Therapeutic approach:
- Oxygen Therapy: It will help to improve oxygen levels in the blood and reduce the strain on the heart in PAH patients. Oxygen is considered a pulmonary vasodilator that helps decrease pressure in the pulmonary arteries. PAH patients often face difficulty in breathing, and oxygen therapy helps overcome it.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: They are a comprehensive intervention based on patient assessment, which includes
exercise, education, and behavior change which helps to improve the physical and psychological condition of PAH patients.
- Atrial Septostomy: In severe PAH cases, a balloon atrial septostomy is a therapy used to treat the patient with PAH. It is a procedure to create an opening in the atrial septum to relieve pressure on the right side of the heart.
3. Lifestyle Changes:
- Exercise: PAH patients are advised to do regular, moderate exercise that can help improve overall cardiovascular health. Your doctor or physiotherapist can provide an appropriate exercise based on your health conditions.
- Healthy Diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains is recommended.
- Avoid smoking: Patients with PAH are advised to avoid or limit the habit of smoking, which can lead to worsen the cardiovascular health of the patient.
- Regular Monitoring: PAH patients are recommended to regularly monitor their health conditions, which will help guide treatment decisions and monitor disease progression in the patients.
Conclusion
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a crucial disease that needs special care for the patients. Delaying the treatment and poor lifestyle habits can worsen the condition of PAH individuals. It is recommended to engage with your doctor to get tailored treatment in both medical and holistic approaches.
