Curing or treating pulmonary hypertension can be very difficult as the signs and symptoms are like any other heart or lung disease. The causes and risk factors of pulmonary hypertension can include scleroderma, systemic lupus, dermatomyositis, and more. However, if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, then it can be treated quite successfully.

Some of the common diagnostic procedures can include:

1. X-ray of the chest
X-rays show images of the chest, lungs, and heart, which can help to show the enlargement of the right ventricle or pulmonary arteries. This test is very useful to identify the underlying condition responsible for causing pulmonary hypertension.

2. Echocardiogram
Echocardiogram helps the doctor to check the size and functioning of the right ventricle, as well as the working of valves and heart chambers. It is also useful to measure the pressure of pulmonary arteries.

3. Catheterization of the heart
This test assists to confirm whether a person has pulmonary hypertension, and also to determine the severity of the disease. It helps by measuring the pressure in the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. It is used to see the effects of different medications on the pulmonary hypertensive patient.

4. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
ECG helps the doctors to detect abnormal rhythms of the heart by showing the heart’s electrical patterns. Any sign of right ventricle enlargement or strain can also be visible with this test. Being overweight is one of the main causes/risk factors of pulmonary hypertension. Thus, if you are gaining weight rapidly, then a periodic ECG can detect PH at an early stage.

5. Blood tests
Blood tests are done to check the presence of certain substances in the blood, which can show pulmonary hypertension. They can also help to understand the conditions that are causing pulmonary hypertension.

6. Treatment
Treatment will help to reduce the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension by slowing its progress. However, the treatments of this health condition are very complex and need constant follow-ups. The doctor may also decide to change the treatment if he finds them ineffective.

Some of the treatment options are:

7. Atrial septostomy
This is an open heart surgery which is done when medication fails to cure pulmonary hypertension. Atrial septostomy works by relieving the pressure on the right side of the heart and minimizes the risk of severe heart complications like abnormalities in the rhythm of the heart. Atrial septostomy can prevent the causes/risk factors of pulmonary hypertension from affecting the patients any further.

8. Transplantation
This is suitable for people belonging to a younger age group, who are suffering from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. The surgical procedure is done by making a lung or lung-heart transplant. But, the risk of transplant includes serious infection when the transplanted organ is rejected by the body. To fix this problem of rejection, you will need to take immunosuppressant medications for life. Medications like bosentan, sildenafil, macitentan, ambrisentan, and tadalafil can cure the problem of pulmonary hypertension to some extent. Hence, it can lower the causes or risk factors of pulmonary hypertension in the patient suffering from this disease.

Thus, the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension can cure this disease to some extent by reducing its risk factors and symptoms.