Pulmonary hypertension is a life-threatening condition that means you have high blood pressure in the arteries that go from your heart to your lungs. In its earliest stages, pulmonary hypertension is difficult to diagnose because it is often mistaken for heart disease. But it's not the same as having regular high blood pressure. With pulmonary hypertension, the tiny arteries in your lungs on the right side of the heart become narrow or blocked, reducing the flow of blood to your lungs. This causes your heart to work harder. If not treated, eventually it will cause the heart to weaken and could lead to heart failure. Our pulmonary specialists are very experienced at treating pulmonary hypertension, and they will get to the root of your problem.
We know how to dig deep to find the root of your symptoms
Our pulmonary specialists will perform a comprehensive evaluation that includes both left-side and right-side echocardiogram. Standard echocardiograms typically evaluate the left side of your heart only, which is associated with heart attack and high blood pressure. Pulmonary hypertension involves the right side. If we suspect you have pulmonary hypertension, other tests will be performed to determine the cause. Knowing the cause of this condition is extremely important, as this will guide our specialists in how to care for you.
Early detection is a major priority for us
We know how important early detection is for your long-term health. Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive disease. With advances in treatment options, our doctors can stop the progression but they can’t undo the damage. When the disease is caught early and treated appropriately, many patients can go on to live a normal lifespan.
Advanced treatment options are available here
About 5% to 10% of patients may not respond to medications, and therefore may need more advanced treatments. Some may even be considered for lung or combined heart and lung transplantation. Nebraska Medicine has the only lung transplant program in Nebraska.
Eisenmenger Clinic
Our doctors created the Eisenmenger Clinic for congenital heart disease patients with pulmonary hypertension, a condition with very high morbidity and mortality rate.
Highly ranked care
Nebraska Medicine is ranked among the nation’s best. Each year, U.S. News and World Report survey the roughly 5,000 hospitals to come up with the year’s list of Best Hospitals. Just 3% of the hospitals analyzed for Best Hospitals earn a national ranking in even one specialty.
We have been recognized as a high-performing hospital in pulmonary medicine in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals ranking.