What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.

CTEPH stands for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare but treatable form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by unresolved blood clots. CTEPH is a serious condition in which blood clots in the lungs fail to dissolve, leading to chronic blockages and scar-like tissue in the pulmonary arteries. These blockages increase resistance to blood flow, causing high pressure in the lungs’ arteries and forcing the right side of the heart to work harder. Unlike other forms of pulmonary hypertension, CTEPH can often be treated or even cured with surgery or interventional procedures if diagnosed early.

CTEPH typically develops after a pulmonary embolism, although some patients may have no prior history of clots. The condition arises when blood clots organize and harden, sometimes combined with scar tissue formation, narrowing or blocking the pulmonary arteries.

What are the risk factors for CTEPH?

Risk factors for CTEPH include splenectomy, chronic inflammatory conditions, certain blood types, malignancy and infections. Many patients have no identifiable risk factors.

What are symptoms of CTEPH?

Common symptoms of CTEPH include: Chest discomfort or pressure Fatigue due to the heart working harder to pump blood Heart palpitations or racing Lightheadedness or dizziness Shortness of breath during activity or even at rest Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet due to fluid buildup Symptoms often develop gradually and may be mistaken for other conditions, which can delay diagnosis.

Pulmonary Hypertension

A Senior Woman Jogs Across a Bridge While Listening to Music

Breathe Easier With Wholehearted Support

If you live with high blood pressure, you may know it can cause heart complications, but it also impacts your lungs. Pulmonary hypertension develops when the arteries in your lungs constrict, making it harder for blood to travel from your heart to your lungs.

Whether your pulmonary hypertension is inherited or results from another condition, trust us for advanced therapies and compassionate support. We're dedicated to supporting your well-being in body, mind and spirit.

Driven by innovative research and whole-person genomic care, our team delivers advanced diagnostics for precise results, ensuring tailored treatments to help you thrive.

Whole-Person Care

Our whole-person philosophy guides each patient interaction. Our cardiologists and pulmonologists are dedicated to identifying underlying causes, helping you breathe easier.
Pulmonary Expertise

Our cardiology and pulmonology specialists thoroughly evaluate your health history and provide attentive care to help you manage your condition.
Multidisciplinary Research

Our goal is to deliver the best pulmonary hypertension care. Focused on innovation and research, we work closely with patients and families, leading to new procedures, devices and treatments to help restore your lung health.

Autoimmune Disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus

Chronic Blood Clots

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)

Heart-Related Conditions

Congenital heart defects
Heart failure
Heart valve disease

Lung Diseases

Chronic low oxygen levels (hypoxia)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pulmonary fibrosis

Whether you need a diagnosis or ongoing treatment, our expert cardiologists and pulmonologists are here to help you breathe easier.

Symptoms and Diagnosis: Pulmonary hypertension means high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. Unlike the blood pressure measured with a cuff on your arm (systemic blood pressure), this measurement shows how hard the heart has to work to push blood through the pulmonary arteries (the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs).
Pulmonary hypertension can cause extreme fatigue, dizziness and shortness of breath. Since these symptoms are also seen in other heart and lung conditions, diagnosis can be complex. A specialized team must determine the type and severity for a tailored treatment plan.
Services and Specialties: We offer the following services and specialties:
Advanced therapies for all types of pulmonary hypertension
Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA)
Clinical research trials
Collaborative care consultations
Collaboration with AdventHealth Lung Transplant Program
CTEPH — Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) management, including onsite surgical option (PTE)
Echocardiography
FDA pulmonary vasodilator targeted medical therapy
Lung transplant
Medical therapy
Palliative care
Participation in pulmonary hypertension clinical research trials
Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy
Pulmonary vasodilator studies
Right and left heart catheterization
SHAPE testing
Six-minute walk testing
Trans-esophageal echocardiography
Treatment of valvular heart disease (as it relates to pulmonary hypertension)
Not all programs are available at every location. Contact us to learn more about specific programs in your area.
Medications: Your treatment plan may include medications to manage pulmonary hypertension, such as:
Adcirca
Flolan
Letairis
Opsumit
Remodulin intravenous, subcutaneous or oral (Orenitram)
Riociguat
Sildenafil/Revatio
Sotatercept
Tyvaso
Uptravi
Veletri
Ventavis
Surgical and Percutaneous Options: Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy (PTE)
This operation removes organized clots from the pulmonary arteries. The surgery can potentially cure chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
In CTEPH, clots form within artery walls and develop scar tissue, raising lung pressure and making breathing difficult. Blockages can lead to right heart failure and lung damage.

Who is eligible for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE)?
If you have CTEPH, your healthcare provider will examine you to assess your overall health. They will also assess your breathing and the damage to your heart. The location of the blockages helps determine whether or not the surgery will be successful.

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA)
Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) is for CTEPH patients who are not eligible for surgery or still have pulmonary hypertension after PTE. An interventional cardiologist opens obstructed arteries with a catheter to improve lung blood flow through the lungs and reduce pulmonary pressures, improving heart function and relieving symptoms.

Stacy Mandras, MD

Advanced Heart Failure Transplant Cardiologist, Medical Director, Pulmonary Hypertension and CTEPH programs

Cardiovascular Disease

Robert Duane Davis, MD

Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Surgical Director of CTEPH Program

Cardiac Surgery, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Sula Mazimba, MD, MPH

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

Daniel Rinewalt, MD

Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery

Jason Stansberry, MD

Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease

James Tarver, MD

Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease

Basiem Barsoum, MD

Interventional Cardiologist for CTEPH

Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology

Rajesh A Shah, MD — Rajesh Shah, MD

Interventional Cardiologist for CTEPH

Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology

Melisa Wilson, DNP, APRN, BC

Cardiology, Critical Care Medicine

Michelle Chance, MSN, APRN, BC

Family Medicine, Pulmonary Disease

Elizabeth Quintero, MSN, APRN, BC

Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease

Conquering Life with Pulmonary Hypertension – Karen’s Story

Question: What is pulmonary hypertension?

Answer:

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
Question: What is CTEPH?

Answer:

CTEPH stands for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare but treatable form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by unresolved blood clots.
CTEPH is a serious condition in which blood clots in the lungs fail to dissolve, leading to chronic blockages and scar-like tissue in the pulmonary arteries. These blockages increase resistance to blood flow, causing high pressure in the lungs’ arteries and forcing the right side of the heart to work harder. Unlike other forms of pulmonary hypertension, CTEPH can often be treated or even cured with surgery or interventional procedures if diagnosed early.
Question: What causes CTEPH?

Answer:

CTEPH typically develops after a pulmonary embolism, although some patients may have no prior history of clots. The condition arises when blood clots organize and harden, sometimes combined with scar tissue formation, narrowing or blocking the pulmonary arteries.
Question: What are the risk factors for CTEPH?

Answer:

Risk factors for CTEPH include splenectomy, chronic inflammatory conditions, certain blood types, malignancy and infections. Many patients have no identifiable risk factors.
Question: What are symptoms of CTEPH?
Answer:
Common symptoms of CTEPH include:
Chest discomfort or pressure
Fatigue due to the heart working harder to pump blood
Heart palpitations or racing
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Shortness of breath during activity or even at rest
Swelling in the legs, ankles or feet due to fluid buildup
Symptoms often develop gradually and may be mistaken for other conditions, which can delay diagnosis.

You’re ready to breathe easier again. Let our experienced teams within the AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network guide your path forward. We offer general lung health care and unmatched expertise for pulmonary hypertension, thoracic surgery, lung transplant and more — all coordinated through a trusted national network. Explore our locations or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Breathe Easier With Wholehearted Support

Trusted Heart Care From a Multidisciplinary Team of Experts

Whole-Person Care

Pulmonary Expertise

Multidisciplinary Research