Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension
When it comes to pulmonary hypertension, symptoms may not become apparent until the condition has advanced. However, one of the primary indications that something is amiss is experiencing shortness of breath during everyday activities. In addition to this, individuals may also encounter fainting spells, dizziness, swelling in the legs and feet, or even chest pain.
As the disease continues to progress, other symptoms may include heart palpitations and difficulty breathing even when at rest. Eventually, the condition can make it challenging to carry out normal activities or even walk across a room.
Diagnosis
Understanding the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension is not typically achieved through a routine medical examination. Even in its advanced stages, the symptoms may be easily mistaken for other cardiac ailments, which is why physicians often make a diagnosis after eliminating other possibilities. Various tests are conducted to confirm the presence of pulmonary hypertension, including a chest x-ray, echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, and lung scans. Additionally, a cardiac catheterization of the right side of the heart may be performed to detect any changes. It is important to note that cardiac catheterization is the only definitive test that directly measures the pressure of the pulmonary arteries.