How to Diagnose Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension or idiopathic arterial pulmonary hypertension (IAPH) is a rare disease where in the blood vessels of the lungs progressively narrow for no evident reason. The narrowing of such vessels will make it difficult for the blood to normally flow -- leading to an increase build up of pressure beyond the normal range (high blood pressure). To compensate for the obstruction, the heart works harder than usual to facilitate the pumping of blood. As a result, the heart then enlarges for working too much, becomes weak and eventually fails (heart failure). Even if the cause of primary pulmonary hypertension is not yet known, there are some probable factors that might be linked to the disease such as exposure to certain drugs (appetite suppressants), genetic origin, or disease in the immune system. Primary pulmonary hypertension is more prevalent in women than in men and commonly occurs between ages 21 to 40 years old. To diagnose primary pulmonary hypertension is to identify the manifestations of its symptoms. They are following.

Instructions

How to Diagnose Symptoms of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

• 1

  Feel the flow of your breathing. Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is usually the first sign of primary pulmonary hypertension. Respiration is difficult or labored and is increased during activity and persists even at rest.

• 2

  Observe how often you get tired or weak. Extreme feeling of weariness and exhaustion (fatigue) from doing any type of exertion is typical and is usually associated with overall weakness.

• 3

  Notice if you feel dizzy and if you frequently experience temporary loss of consciousness. Patients often feel a whirling sensation in their heads as they move (dizziness); and in some cases, they recurrently collapse or faint (syncope) as they sit, stand, and even more when they are doing something.

• 4

  Look at your legs or ankles to see if they are swollen. Such fluid accumulation is secondary to the enlargement of the heart. As a result of an obstructed flow of blood in the pulmonary artery, the heart compensates for it, by working harder than normal to pump blood. The heart then enlarges due to increased stress and is eventually followed by a build up of fluid in the liver and other parts of the body including the legs and ankles.

• 5

  Check the color of your lips and skin. Bluish color or cyanosis of the lips and skin can be seen in patients due to a disturbed normal flow of blood in the system.

• 6

  Contact your doctor right away if you feel a pain in the chest. Chest pain is felt at rest and especially when exerting an effort while doing a certain type of activity. This symptom most often occurs in the later stage of the disease.