Pulmonary hypertension. A common but often overlooked condition

Pulmonary hypertension accompanies many primary disorders and produces common symptoms. However, measurement of pulmonary blood pressure is not routine, and as a result, symptoms are often overlooked. Pulmonary hypertension may lead to cor pulmonale, which has an unfavorable prognosis. Drug treatment for pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale may improve prognosis and prolong life. In cases of irreversible primary disease, therapy is palliative. Vasodilator therapy appears to benefit certain patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.