Pulmonary Hypertension

Breathing should be easy. But when you have pulmonary hypertension, even small activities like walking or climbing stairs can feel like climbing a hill. That’s because this condition increases pressure in your lungs and strains your heart, making daily life harder over time. 

At WMCHealth, we’ll care for your pulmonary hypertension using advanced testing, coordinated specialty care, and every available treatment. As part of a leading academic health system, we offer access to innovative therapies and research not found at smaller centers. Our goal is to help you live a longer, more active life with the support of experts across our network. 

Diagnosing Pulmonary Hypertension

Because symptoms often overlap with other illnesses, expert evaluation is key. Our specialists can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms in order to better target treatment for your specific needs.  

At WMCHealth, your team of specialists may include:  

• Cardiologists 
• Hepatologists 
• Pulmonologists 
• Rheumatologists 

Depending on your medical history and symptoms, we may perform: 

• Echocardiography to evaluate heart structure and function 
• Pulmonary function testing to measure lung performance 
• Sleep studies to identify sleep-related breathing disorders 
• Right heart catheterization to confirm your diagnosis and guide treatment 
• Blood work to screen for common and rare conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms 

Our hospital locations throughout the Hudson Valley are equipped to complete these advanced diagnostic tests in one coordinated system, ensuring timely and precise care. 

Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment 

While your pulmonary hypertension may not be curable, we can help ease your symptoms and slow its pace. You may need oral medications, continuous infusion therapies, or a combination. Or you may need procedures or surgeries to more directly target the root cause, such as blood clots in the lungs. With modern, state-of-the-art treatments, you may notice significant improvement and sometimes even a return to normal breathing during your daily activities. 

At WMCHealth our team of specialists, including lung, heart, and liver specialists, work together to create a personalized plan for you. If you ever need inpatient care to monitor your treatment or adjust medications, we’ll arrange that for you. This coordinated approach is how we can treat your symptoms while supporting your long-term wellness. 

Opportunities to Participate in Clinical Trials 

As part of an academic health system, WMCHealth participates in clinical research exploring new and emerging pulmonary hypertension therapies. This means you may qualify for trials offering early access to promising medications and innovative treatment strategies. Our goal is to give you a full range of treatment options, including those driven by discovery and innovation.  

Learn More 

Ongoing Support and Follow-Up Care 

At WMCHealth, your care doesn’t end after treatment begins because managing pulmonary hypertension is a lifelong process. Our nurse practitioners and registered nurses, both with more than 15 years of pulmonary hypertension experience, offer hands-on education and support.  

As you learn how to manage medications and infusions, you’ll receive: 

• Virtual and in-person follow-up options to stay connected with your care team 
• Guidance and counseling to help you adjust to complex therapies 
• Practical tips for managing ongoing care at home 

Our goal is to encourage and support you through every stage of their treatment journey.