“Symptoms of the disease progress slowly,” says Feroz Safdar, MD, a pulmonologist on the Medical Staff of Penn Medicine Princeton Health, “and because of the slow progression you may not realize you have the condition for some time. Treatment, however, is extremely important, so anyone experiencing changes that could indicate pulmonary hypertension should see their doctor for a diagnosis, and be treated promptly. Without treatment, breathing will become more and more difficult and the heart will grow weaker and weaker.”
Symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath, initially with physical exertion and eventually while at rest
- Chest pain or pressure
- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid heartbeat or pulse
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the ankles, legs, or abdomen
- Bluish/grayish skin tone
Finding and Treating the Cause
“Pulmonary hypertension is more prevalent in women, and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60,” says Dr. Safdar. “Family history; conditions such as COPD, sleep apnea, blood clots, heart disease, and kidney or liver disease; and drug use are known contributors to the development of the disease.”
While there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, once diagnosed the underlying conditions can be treated, and steps can be taken to make patients more comfortable with the disease symptoms and keep the condition from progressing.
Diagnosing pulmonary hypertension can involve a range of testing, including blood work, chest x-ray, EKG or echocardiogram, MRI, heart catheterization, pulmonary function testing, and a sleep study.
“When it comes to pulmonary hypertension, diagnosis is a joint effort between cardiology and pulmonology,” says Dr. Safdar. “Once diagnosed, treatment can involve both specialties as well, depending on the underlying conditions contributing to the disease and how the disease is affecting the patient.”
Treatment can involve medications to help reduce the pressure in the pulmonary vessels, widen arteries, and help the blood flow more freely through the arteries; addressing underlying conditions such as sleep apnea and heart conditions; and providing supplemental therapies such as oxygen, if needed.