What Our Physicians are Saying
“Our multidisciplinary team will work closely with your family to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, designed specifically for your child and family’s needs.”
At Loma Linda University Children’s Health, we have a comprehensive team dedicated to diagnosing and treating pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that line the lungs) in children from infancy through 18 years.
Why Choose Us for Your Child's Pulmonary Hypertension Care
- Comprehensive care - We have pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and dieticians who work together as a dedicated team to improve your child’s health.
- Advanced therapies - Although oral medication is the most common way to manage pulmonary hypertension, we also offer advanced therapy alternatives, including subcutaneous (under the skin) or intravenous (IV) therapies.
- Specialized clinics - We offer a dedicated pediatric pulmonary hypertension clinic where your child can see their doctor, nurse, social worker and dietician to develop a family-centered treatment plan.
- Family support - We offer the Inland Empire’s only pulmonary hypertension support group, which meets four times a year. You’ll hear from a pulmonary hypertension expert and connect with other parents whose children have the condition.
What is Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension is a rare disorder of high blood pressure in the blood vessels that line the lungs. The heart must work harder to overcome the high lung pressure. If left untreated, this may lead to heart failure. When we treat your child’s pulmonary hypertension, our goal is to improve symptoms and quality of life.
What Causes Pulmonary Hypertension in Children?
- An unknown cause (idiopathic)
- Congenital heart disease
- Lung disease
- Autoimmune disorder
- Chronic thromboembolic disease (a blood clotting disorder)
- Others
Detecting and Treating Pulmonary Hypertension
Signs and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, swelling of legs and syncope (fainting).
Infants may have non-specific or no symptoms at all. Various specialized tests will be performed to determine the presence, severity, and cause of your child’s pulmonary hypertension. These will include blood work, chest x-ray, ECG, echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), cardiac catheterizations, CT scans and other imaging studies.
Depending on the cause and severity of your child’s pulmonary hypertension, treatment typically includes oral medications. For more advanced disease, we also offer advanced therapy alternatives, including subcutaneous (under the skin) or intravenous (IV) therapies.
Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group
Our support group for pulmonary hypertension patients and their families meets four times per year and is available to all ages.
VIEW SUPPORT GROUPS