Prof. Dr. Ali Serdar Fak
Cardiac SurgeryVerified
- 29+years exp.
English · Turkish
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
Cardiac Surgery
Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment in Turkey
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure within the blood vessels that supply the lungs. Patients generally seek medical evaluation when noticing shortness of breath during routine activities, fatigue, dizziness, chest pressure, or swelling in the ankles. Suitable medical therapies and intervention options depend entirely on an in-depth clinical assessment by a cardiology specialist. Compare hospitals in Turkey that treat Pulmonary Hypertension and get a free review of your medical records.
- Price from
- Price on request
- Clinics
- 2
Verified surgeons for Pulmonary Hypertension
2 doctors Compare doctors, ratings and prices — ask any of them for a free quote.
Dr. Bülent İlçöl
Cardiac SurgeryVerified
- 25+years exp.
English · Turkish
FromPrice on request
Free quote
60 seconds · no obligationView Profile
About Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure within the blood vessels that supply the lungs. Patients generally seek medical evaluation when noticing shortness of breath during routine activities, fatigue, dizziness, chest pressure, or swelling in the ankles. Suitable medical therapies and intervention options depend entirely on an in-depth clinical assessment by a cardiology specialist.
Specialty: Cardiac Surgery
Best Clinics for Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
The cost of treating Pulmonary Hypertension depends on the diagnosis and the treatment chosen. Doctors first review your medical records — free of charge — and you then receive an itemised quote.
Pulmonary Hypertension is treated by Cardiac Surgery specialists. 2 clinics in Turkey on our platform offer this treatment.
Understanding Pulmonary Hypertension and Its Symptoms
Pulmonary hypertension is a serious, progressive medical condition characterised by elevated blood pressure within the pulmonary arteries—the blood vessels that carry oxygen-depleted blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. As these arterial walls narrow, stiffen, or thicken, the right ventricle must work significantly harder to pump blood through the lungs. Over time, this chronic strain can lead to right heart enlargement and eventual heart failure.
Patients frequently seek specialist evaluation when they experience subtle, non-specific symptoms that worsen gradually over time. The most common clinical signs include:
- Progressive shortness of breath (dyspnoea) during routine daily activities or exercise
- Persistent fatigue and unexplained physical weakness
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or episodes of fainting (syncope)
- Chest pressure or discomfort, particularly during physical exertion
- Swelling (oedema) in the ankles, legs, or abdomen due to fluid retention
- Bluish colour to the lips and skin (cyanosis) in advanced stages
Because these symptoms closely mimic other respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses, a thorough clinical evaluation within a dedicated Cardiac Surgery or specialized cardiology department is essential to determine the precise cause and stage of the disease.
Diagnostic Evaluations for International Patients
Accurate classification of pulmonary hypertension is critical, as treatment approaches vary completely depending on whether the high blood pressure stems from arterial disease, left heart dysfunction, chronic lung diseases, or blood clots. Hospitals in Turkey utilise advanced diagnostic protocols to establish an exact diagnosis.
When travelling for clinical evaluation, medical teams typically perform or review the following diagnostic investigations:
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart to estimate pulmonary artery pressures, assess right ventricular function, and evaluate valve structures.
- Right Heart Catheterisation: The gold-standard diagnostic test where a small catheter is inserted into a vein to measure blood pressure directly inside the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle.
- Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) & CT Scans: Advanced imaging from Pulmonology & Thoracic Surgery specialists to check for underlying lung tissue diseases or airways obstruction.
- Ventilation-Perfusion (V/Q) Scan: Nuclear imaging used to screen for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) caused by historical blood clots.
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Panels: Detailed blood tests available via Check-ups & Diagnostics units to screen for connective tissue disorders, metabolic conditions, or liver disease.
International patients are advised to collect and bring all previous medical records, including recent echocardiography images, CT scan files on disc, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and a full record of prescribed medications.
Treatment Options and Clinical Approaches
Treatment strategies focus on reducing symptoms, slowing disease progression, improving exercise tolerance, and enhancing quality of life. Decisions regarding specific therapies are made exclusively by the attending multi-disciplinary medical team after reviewing all diagnostic data.
| Option | Typically Used When | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted Oral Therapies | Mild to moderate pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) | Includes endothelin receptor antagonists, PDE-5 inhibitors, and soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators to dilate blood vessels. |
| Inhaled or Parenteral Prostanoids | Advanced PAH or severe functional impairment | Requires continuous delivery systems or frequent inhalation schedules; close monitoring for side effects is necessary. |
| Pulmonary Endarterectomy (PEA) | Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) | A major surgical procedure performed by Cardiac Surgery teams to remove chronic blood clots from the pulmonary arteries. |
| Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) | Non-operable CTEPH or residual post-PEA pressure | A minimally invasive catheter intervention to widen obstructed pulmonary vessels using small inflatable balloons. |
| Underlying Condition Management | Secondary PH due to heart disease, lung disease, or sleep apnoea | Focuses on treating the root cause, such as targeted therapies from Gastroenterology or respiratory specialists, alongside oxygen therapy. |
Planning Your Medical Travel to Turkey
Managing pulmonary hypertension requires meticulous trip preparation due to the complex nature of cardiovascular care. Prior to travelling, patients undergo an initial remote record review, allowing local specialists to determine if further diagnostic procedures or immediate clinical interventions are required upon arrival.
Patients should plan to stay near the medical centre for a minimum of 7 to 14 days, depending on the required diagnostic tests or therapeutic adjustments. Surgical cases like endarterectomy demand longer inpatient stays followed by structured medical monitoring. Before returning home, your medical team will establish a long-term care management plan, which must be coordinated directly with your local cardiologist or general practitioner to ensure ongoing prescription management and routine monitoring.
Travel Restrictions and Emergency Precautions
Commercial air travel poses specific physiological risks for individuals with pulmonary hypertension due to reduced cabin pressure and lower circulating oxygen levels. Travel by air is generally not recommended if you have unstable right heart failure, severe symptoms at rest, recent syncope, or significantly reduced blood oxygen levels, unless explicit clearance and supplemental oxygen arrangements are provided by your cardiologist.
Seek immediate emergency medical care locally if you experience sudden onset of severe shortness of breath, acute chest pain, coughing up blood, sustained dizziness, or loss of consciousness. Always consult your primary physician before scheduling long-distance travel to evaluate your current cardiopulmonary stability.
Frequently asked questions
Air travel can be dangerous for individuals with severe or unstable pulmonary hypertension because reduced cabin oxygen levels can further increase pulmonary artery pressure. Patients with mild, stable conditions may travel if cleared by their cardiologist, but medical oxygen supplementation during the flight might be necessary.
You should bring your complete medical history, including recent echocardiogram reports, right heart catheterisation data, CT scans on disc, chest X-rays, blood test results, and a comprehensive list of all current medications, including dosage instructions from your prescribing doctor.
For most patients, pulmonary hypertension is a chronic condition that cannot be completely cured, though targeted medical treatments can effectively manage symptoms and slow progression. An exception is Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH), which may be potentially cured or significantly improved through specialized surgical removal of blood clots.
A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation typically requires between 3 to 7 business days to complete all imaging, blood tests, and a right heart catheterisation. If surgical interventions or complex medication initiations are needed, your stay will extend to several weeks based on clinical recovery.
Before your discharge, the clinical team provides a detailed report outlining your diagnosis, diagnostic findings, and treatment recommendations. You must share these documents with your primary cardiologist or local medical provider to maintain prescription refills, monitor medication side effects, and schedule routine follow-up assessments.