Vascular Medicine Conference-CVC 2026

Pulmonary hypertension is, frankly, a formidable and complex disease. At its core, it’s defined by abnormally high blood pressure within the pulmonary arteries—the vessels ferrying blood from the heart to the lungs. This elevated pressure means the right side of the heart really has to hustle, which, over time, can lead to hypertrophy and even right heart failure. Patients typically present with symptoms like exertional dyspnea, persistent fatigue, chest discomfort, palpitations, and, in more severe cases, syncope.

Etiologically, pulmonary hypertension can arise without a clear cause (idiopathic), but, far more often, it’s secondary to other problems: left-sided heart dysfunction, chronic lung diseases, thromboembolic phenomena, or connective tissue disorders, among others.

Diagnosis isn’t guesswork. Physicians employ echocardiography to visualize heart structure and function, right heart catheterization for direct measurement of pulmonary pressures, and advanced imaging modalities like CT or MRI to assess the pulmonary vasculature. Additional investigations—ranging from serologic studies and pulmonary function tests to polysomnography—may be necessary to pinpoint contributing factors.

Therapeutic strategies are multi-pronged: address the underlying pathology, alleviate symptoms, and stave off progression. Pharmacologic options include vasodilators, anticoagulants, supplemental oxygen, and diuretics. In select scenarios, more invasive interventions—such as atrial septostomy or lung transplantation—are warranted. Ultimately, early recognition and a comprehensive, tailored management plan can markedly improve both quality of life and long-term prognosis for patients battling pulmonary hypertension.