If you have pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), you know it’s a rare form of high blood pressure. It affects the arteries that run from the heart through the lungs, causing those arteries to constrict.
Like a domino effect, it makes the heart have to work harder to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body. Ping. And then, that causes blood pressure to rise. Ping. And as the condition worsens, certain symptoms become apparent. Ping. Ping. Ping. Most people ignore many of the symptoms because they can be common to other illnesses and disorders.
So, let’s look at what the symptoms are:
- Shortness of breath: Simple tasks like climbing stairs become more and more difficult.
- Fatigue and dizziness: This is caused by oxygen-poor blood. As the heart becomes more overworked, fluid begins to collect in the person’s lower legs and feet.
- Blue lips: Again, caused by low oxygen.
- Chest pain and irregular heartbeat: At that point, the patient is in real danger of heart attack or stroke.
It’s worthwhile to be screened for PAH because symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient.
But wait! There is some good news about PAH. A recent article disclosed the findings of three clinical trials, and the outcome may mean better treatment for people who have this disorder.
To read the report, click here.
