NYHA Functional Class II-III Pulmonary arterial hypertension
What Is NYHA Functional Class II-III Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?
Pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as PAH, is a serious and life-threatening condition. It is caused by changes in the walls of blood vessels within the lungs. Normally, these walls are elastic and flexible. With PAH, they become thick and rigid, leading to dangerously high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This increases the workload of the heart, which can lead to heart failure.
NYHA Functional Class II-III refers to the level of severity of PAH. NYHA stands for New York Heart Association, and it is a classification system for how well the heart can function despite heart disease. Patients with NYHA Functional Class II-III PAH typically experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and even fainting. The condition can become very dangerous if it is left untreated.
How Is NYHA Functional Class II-III Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treated?
The goal of treating NYHA Functional Class II-III PAH is to improve the patient’s quality of life and reduce the risk of death. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms, improving heart function, and preventing and reversing further damage to the pulmonary arteries. Treatment usually involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medications, and sometimes surgery.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications are important for managing PAH. This includes:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing stress
- Eating a healthy diet
Medications
Medications are usually the first line of treatment for NYHA Functional Class II-III PAH. Medications work by dilating the blood vessels in the lungs, reducing inflammation, and improving heart function. Common medications used to treat PAH include prostacyclins, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, and endothelin receptor blockers (ERBs).
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be recommended. The goal of surgery is to improve the flow of blood and reduce strain on the heart. The type of surgery recommended will depend on the specific needs of the patient.