Claire Donohue

Abstract:

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious disease. It causes the blood vessels leading to the lungs to gain muscle in the wall of the blood vessel. It affects the right side of the heart which pumps oxygen deficient blood to the lungs to gain oxygen before traveling back to the left side of the heart. Because of this many symptoms occur, for instance, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and chest pressure. As one can predict this can lead to many lifestyle changes and difficulties. Having to suddenly go to many doctors appointments, fighting with insurance companies and new medications. Not to mention anxiety and depression can worsen symptoms as well as push away support systems. Pulmonary hypertension destroys patients lives and causes their life to be completely different from what it was prior to their diagnosis.