Pulmonary hypertension is a condition of increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fainting, tiredness, chest pain, swelling of the legs, and a fast heartbeat. The condition may make it difficult to exercise. Onset is typically gradual. A patient is deemed to have pulmonary hypertension if the pulmonary mean arterial pressure is greater than 25mmHg at rest, or greater than 30mmHg during exercise.
Difficulty breathing
Recurrent
Occurs or worsens with exertion
common
Fatigue
common
Chest discomfort
Recurrent
Center of the chest, Left side, Right side
Occurs or worsens with exertion
Chronic
common
Dizziness
common
Swollen neck vein
common
Swelling in lower leg
or Enlarged feet or ankle
or Swollen belly
Fainting
With exertion
Poor appetite
Recent unexplained weight gain
Abdominal pain
In the upper right region
Bluish discoloration of the skin
Irregular heartbeat
Strained voice
or Cough with mucus or without mucus
With bloody mucus
Recurrent
Lasting 4 weeks or more
Smoking
Overweight or obese
Abnormal heart muscle
or Congenital heart disease
or Heart failure
Valvular heart disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
or Breathing stops involuntarily during sleep
Drug or substance abuse
History of Pulmonary Embolism
Sarcoidosis
or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
or Kidney failure or on dialysis
or Lung cancer
If you have Pulmonary Hypertension, then a visit to a pulmonologist is highly recommended.
Contact a
Pulmonologist