Pulmonary Hypertension

After years of shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, edema, 50% artery blockage, aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation and pacemaker insertion for bradycardia, a cardiac cath today shows I have pulmonary hypertension. Anyone familiar with this heart-lung issue and can offer insight, experience and help with a list of questions to ask the cardiologist at my appointment next week. I am quite shocked as I expected the cath to show increased blockage or need for valve repair. This diagnosis comes out of left field. Thanks.

2 Comments

Hi Phyllisilie

by jeanlancour - 2014-01-29 10:01:55

I have pulmonary hypertension and a pacemaker, the most important question is , can you refer me to a good pulmonary dr. You need to know how well your lungs are fuctioning, and what meds you need. I have a Boston Scentific PM, It helps by increasing my hb if I get short of breath. It took a bit of tweaking to find what helps me, the tech walked the halls and stair ways with me to get a better reading. Takes time, but it has helped, in my case thr PH is advanced. Good luck, if you have any questions I will be glad to help, just post them here. Jean

Comes from Left Field

by donr - 2014-01-29 11:01:05

That is an appropriate description of the location of the problem. I have a friend who has it (Age 77) & it plagued her for some time. I scratched my head at why the diagnosis surprised her so much 7 why it was so difficult to treat. When her husband explained it to me - it made perfect sense.

The lungs & all the blood flow connections are buried inside the body - Right Ventricle to lungs; Pulmonary artery to Left Atrium.

there's no way you can get at them to make a direct, simple measurement of the BP in that section of the circulatory system. Obviously its symptoms mimic a lot of others.

I can see why you were surprised by it.

I wish you the best in this.

Don

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