Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)
What is primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH)?
To better understand PPH, it is helpful to break it down:- Primary: Main, central, or chief
- Pulmonary: Related to, or affecting, the lungs
- Hypertension: A common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater)
What are the symptoms of PPH?
The most common symptom of PPH is difficult or labored breathing, known as dyspnea. Other symptoms include:- Racing pulse or heart palpitations
- Swelling in the ankles, legs, and eventually the abdomen
- Chest pressure or pain
- Dizziness or fainting spells
- Fatigue
How is PPH diagnosed?
PPH is usually difficult to diagnose since all other possible diseases need to be investigated first to diagnose PPH through process of elimination. A PPH diagnosis can be made with a high degree of accuracy if care is taken to exclude all likely secondary causes. A good start to diagnosis is a thorough and detailed history and physical examination. There are a number of appropriate tests that will help your doctor uncover potential contributing factors, and these tests include:- Electrocardiogram
- Chest x-ray
- Echocardiography
- Lung ventilation/perfusion scan
- Pulmonary angiogram
- Radionuclide angiography
- Ultrafast CT scan
- Pulmonary function testing
- Cardiopulmonary exercise tests
- Lung biopsy
- Cardiac catheterization
What are the symptoms and/or secondary causes of PPH?
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- Thromboembolic disease or obstruction of pulmonary vessels
- Collagen vascular diseases
- Conditions associated with pulmonary hypertension
- HIV Infection
- Portal hypertension
What are the available treatments for PPH?
There is no cure for PPH, nor is there a consistently accepted or successful therapeutic approach. However, treatment for this disease has improved dramatically over the past decade. Because PPH is a rare disease whose complexity poses tremendous challenges to the treating physician, it is recommended that patients be referred to a center with experience in management of this disease. The referring physician plays a major role in the day-to-day care of these patients, and an ongoing conversation between the treating physicians is crucial.Where can I find more information on primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH)?
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) Articles
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About Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a form of high blood pressure which affects the arteries. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension refers to a type of the condition
