Final answer:
When a patient has pulmonary hypertension, the right ventricle of the heart may hypertrophy or increase in size. This is the heart's way of adapting to the increased workload of pumping blood against the elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries. However, over time, this enlargement can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure. Managing pulmonary hypertension is important to prevent further damage to the heart and improve symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient has pulmonary hypertension, it means that there is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. This condition puts extra strain on the right ventricle of the heart, causing it to hypertrophy or increase in size. The right ventricle needs to work harder to pump blood against the elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
This hypertrophy of the right ventricle is the heart's way of adapting to the increased workload. By enlarging, the right ventricle can generate more force to pump blood against the high pressure in the pulmonary arteries. However, over time, this enlargement can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.
As a result of heart failure, fluid may build up in the lungs, causing symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling in the extremities. It is important for the patient to understand that managing pulmonary hypertension, through medications and lifestyle changes, is crucial to prevent further damage to the heart and improve symptoms.