Portal hypertension occurs when blood pressure rises in the portal vein, the vessel that carries blood from your stomach, intestines and spleen into your liver. If scar tissue or other blockages slow blood flow through the liver, pressure builds up and reroutes blood into smaller veins that aren't designed for high volume.
Early on, portal hypertension may cause few signs, but as pressure mounts you may notice:
Several conditions can impede portal blood flow and raise pressure:
At GastroDoxs in Jersey Village, our board-certified liver specialists combine cutting-edge diagnostics with personalized treatment plans for portal hypertension. From HVPG testing and ultrasound monitoring to medication management and interventional procedures, we guide you every step of the way. Don't wait to protect your liver health book your appointment today and let us help you find relief and regain peace of mind.
We've successfully treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Portal hypertension is diagnosed using a combination of blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy to look for varices, and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement to directly assess pressure inside the liver.
Yes. Portal hypertension can develop in the absence of cirris if there are blockages, blood clots in the portal vein, or other vascular and liver disorders that impede blood flow through the liver.
Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the lining of the esophagus that develop when blood is redirected around a high?pressure portal vein. If they rupture, they can cause life?threatening bleeding.
Liver pressure is measured with the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) test, where a thin catheter is inserted into a liver vein to record pressure differences between the portal vein and inferior vena cava.
Key lifestyle changes include eating a low?sodium diet to reduce fluid retention, avoiding alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and following any fluid?restriction advice from your care team.
Ultrasound is very helpful for monitoring spleen size, liver blood flow, and the presence of ascites, but it's often used alongside other tests (like HVPG) for a complete assessment.
Nonselective beta?blockers such as propranolol or nadolol are commonly prescribed to lower portal pressure and reduce the risk of variceal bleeding.
While portal hypertension itself is a symptom of serious liver disease, effective management of pressure and complications can help protect liver function and reduce the risk of progression to liver failure.
Follow?up frequency depends on your condition's stability, but most patients benefit from specialist visits every three to six months for monitoring and treatment adjustments.
Seeing a local GastroDoxs specialist in Jersey Village means quicker appointments, personalized follow-up care, and a team familiar with your medical history and community needs.
