Pulmonary hypertension and heart failure are two potentially serious conditions that often occur together. Both conditions can contribute to the development of the other.

Heart failure occurs when the heart can’t pump enough oxygen to supply the bodily tissues. Compensatory changes in the heart can lead to the buildup of blood in the lung’s blood vessels, contributing to the development of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. It can lead to complications like heart enlargement or right sided heart failure.

It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you develop warning signs of either condition, such as unexplained swelling in your lower body or shortness of breath, particularly with physical exertion.

Keep reading to learn more about the connection between pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.

Your heart is divided into four chambers:

  • Oxygen-poor blood flows into your right atrium from your circulation and is pumped into your right ventricle.
  • Oxygen-poor blood flows from your right ventricle into your lungs through the pulmonary arteries.
  • Oxygen-rich blood flows from your lungs via the pulmonary veins into your left atrium.
  • Oxygen-rich blood flows from your left atrium to your left ventricle and then throughout your body.

Pulmonary hypertension can lead to right sided heart failure. As the name suggests, right sided heart failure occurs when the right side of your heart can’t pump blood effectively.

The relationship between pulmonary hypertension and heart failure can be a vicious loop where both conditions increase your risk of developing the other.

The most common cause of right sided heart failure is left ventricular failure. Poor function of the left ventricle can lead to the buildup of blood in the blood vessels supplying your lungs. This increased pressure in these blood vessels can lead to pressure overload on the right side of your heart.

Over time, this overload can cause changes to the right side of your heart, which impairs its ability to properly pump an adequate amount of blood to supply your tissues.

Pulmonary hypertension is common in people with heart failure, and heart failure is the leading cause of pulmonary hypertension.

Excess pressure in the blood vessels leading from your lungs to your left atrium can cause excessive pressure in your left atrium. This damage can cause damage to your atrium, leading to a change in its structure and a decrease in the left side of your heart’s ability to pump blood.

Here’s a look at the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.

Pulmonary hypertension symptoms

Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension can include:

Heart failure symptoms

The most common symptoms of heart failure include:

  • shortness of breath
  • fatigue
  • swelling in your lower body
  • feeling faint
  • weakness
  • lightheadedness

It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you develop warning signs of pulmonary hypertension or heart failure. Early symptoms might be subtle but often include increased fatigue, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Medical emergency

Go to the nearest emergency room if you or somebody you’re with develops serious symptoms of heart failure or pulmonary hypertension, such as:

  • chest pain
  • racing heart rate
  • swelling in your lower body
  • bluish tint to your lips or skin
  • confusion or other mental changes
  • loss of consciousness

Here’s a look at the treatment options for pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.

Pulmonary hypertension treatment

Treatment for pulmonary hypertension often involves treating an underlying condition like heart failure or blood clots.

Treatment options include:

  • anticoagulant medications like warfarin to prevent blood clots
  • diuretics to remove excess fluid caused by heart failure
  • home oxygen therapy, which involves breathing in a high concentration of oxygen
  • digoxin to slow your heart rate

Heart failure treatment

Heart failure may be treated with:

The outlook for people with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension together tends to be worse than for people with heart failure alone.

More than half of people with pulmonary arterial hypertension now live longer than 5 years, based on data from a European study.

In a 2019 review of studies, researchers reported chronic heart failure survival rates of:

  • 1-month: 95.7%
  • 2-year: 86.5%
  • 5-year: 72.6%
  • 10-year: 56.7%

Heart failure and pulmonary hypertension often occur together. Both conditions can contribute to the development of the other.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you believe you may have either condition. Receiving an early diagnosis and proper treatment can help you minimize your chances of developing complications.