How does pulmonary hypertension affect both the lungs and heart?
Pulmonary hypertension creates a challenging situation where your lungs and heart are closely connected, and problems with one organ directly affect the other.
How PH Affects Your Lungs
PH occurs when there's high blood pressure in the blood vessels Show Full Answer
How does pulmonary hypertension affect both the lungs and heart?
Pulmonary hypertension creates a challenging situation where your lungs and heart are closely connected, and problems with one organ directly affect the other.
How PH Affects Your Lungs
PH occurs when there's high blood pressure in the blood vessels between the right side of your heart and your lungs. The pulmonary arteries become stiff, narrow, or damaged, making it harder for blood to flow through to pick up oxygen.
This can lead to:
- Shortness of breath, especially during everyday activities
- Compression of airways, causing coughing and wheezing
- Increased risk of severe pneumonia and lung infections
- In rare cases, rupture of the pulmonary artery
How PH Affects Your Heart
Because the blood vessels are narrowed, your heart has to work much harder than usual to pump blood to your lungs. This extra strain can cause serious complications:
- Chest pain or angina (experienced by about 22% of people with PAH)
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
- Heart palpitations or changes in heart rate
- Eventually, heart failure if left untreated
The pulmonary artery may also widen and put pressure on the coronary artery that supplies your heart muscle with blood, which can result in chest pain or even a heart attack.
Taking Care of Both Organs
Your doctor will likely encourage steps to support both your lung and heart health, including eating a healthy diet, limiting stress, quitting smoking, and exercising regularly as tolerated.
December 29, 2025
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