Question

D. D. is a 66 year-old female suffering from shortness of breath. She smoked 2 packs a day until she quit 2 years ago. She has a history of bronchiolitis, hyperinflated lungs, pulmonary edema, and syncope. Her primary care practitioner suspects she also has pulmonary hypertension (PH). After examination, D. D. has a PAP of 35mmHg and mild CHF.

Citing scholarly resources, answer the following questions:

1. What is pulmonary hypertension and how could D. D. have developed PH?
2. How does her history fit in with her new diagnosis?

Answer 1

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION:

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in lungs and right side of heart. In one form if pulmonary hypertension called pulmonary arterial hypertension when blood vessels in lungs are blocked, narrowed and destroyed.

DEVELOPED OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION:

When the tiny blood vessels in lungs become thickened , narrowed,blocked or destroyed ,its harder for blood to flow through the lungs. As a result blood pressure increase in the lungs . This condition called pulmonary hypertension.

HOW DOES HER HISTORY FIT IN NEW DAIGNOSIS---

In her history patient smoking daily 2 packs. Her history of smoking likely played a major role in her development of pulmonary hypertension. She has also history of bronchiolitis , a disorder involving a inflammation of the bronchioles , which when seen in adults is common associated with smoking.