Diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

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A diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is only arrived at after a series of tests are performed to ensure that pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not some other disorder, is responsible for the symptoms observed. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rarely detected while it is still in the early stages, mainly because many instances of pulmonary arterial hypertension occur in otherwise healthy individuals that dismiss the primary symptom, shortness of breath, as not serious enough to schedule a visit to the doctor. In these cases, pulmonary arterial hypertension may not be diagnosed until years after the onset of the condition.

When pulmonary arterial hypertension moves into a more advanced stage the symptoms are the same as many other heart and lung disorders. There is no one test currently available that is able to diagnose pulmonary arterial hypertension accurately, so a battery of test may be performed by the physician. The tests are more to rule out any other disorders as a definite diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is difficult to obtain.

One test used to diagnose pulmonary arterial hypertension is an echocardiogram. This test uses non-invasive technology to create a picture of the heart using sound waves. For this procedure, a transducer is placed on the chest that transmits the sound waves to a monitor to create a picture of the heart. The monitor will show how well the heart is functioning and allow the physician to measure the thickness and size of the muscles of the heart. This procedure can be done as a traditional echocardiogram or a exercise echocardiogram, which involves running on a treadmill and taking readings before and after the exercise. This test is not normally recommended for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension as it has a slight chance of triggering a heart attack.

Another non-invasive type of testing used in the diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is a pulmonary function test. These tests are used to measure the airflow of the lungs as well as how much air the lungs can hold. The test is conducted by having the patient blow into an instrument named a spirometer and measuring the results. If the test results are abnormal, it may be an indication of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

A more complex test used to diagnose pulmonary arterial hypertension is a perfusion lung scan. This test uses small amounts of radioactive materials injected into the body to examine the blood flow in the lungs. A perfusion lung scan is typically used to determine when the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension observed by the physician are being caused by blood clots in the lungs. The radioactive materials used by the test are in such small amounts that the rarely cause any side effects or complications.

The most reliable test for diagnosing pulmonary arterial hypertension is a test called right heart catheterization. This procedure can be done on an outpatient basis and generally uses local anesthesia. The test uses a catheter to directly measure the pressure of the right ventricle and the main pulmonary arteries, as well as measure the effects of different medications on the heart in order to better customize the patient’s treatment plan.

Based on the results of these test, the physician will be able to tell whether the symptoms experienced are the result of pulmonary arterial hypertension or some other disorder. Early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension improves the patient’s survival outlook and provides a better opportunity for treatments to be effective. Currently, there are thousands of people diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in the United States with many thousands more that are unaware that they have the condition.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Resources

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH ) occurs when the blood pressure of the pulmonary artery increases to dangerous levels. Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ) in the older medical journals, pulmonary arterial hypertension is considered a rare disorder that is difficult to treat and that few patients survive …

Symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - When reviewing the medical history of patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, physicians find that the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension manifest gradually. In some cases, symptoms may take up to ten years to appear ...

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - A diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is only arrived at after a series of tests are performed to ensure that pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not some other disorder, is responsible for the symptoms observed. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rarely detected while it is still in the early stages ...

Causes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - There are many causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension, and not all of them are known. Because incidences of pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as primary pulmonary hypertension ( PPH ), are so low, it is difficult to learn about the disease through clinical means ...

Treatments for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Pulmonary arterial hypertension treatments are much more effective when the condition is diagnosed early. Because of the difficulty of treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, doctors need to carefully tailor each treatment program to the needs of the individual. Treating this condition requires numerous follow-ups to determine the best course of treatment, and treatments may be adjusted if they become ineffective ...

Complications of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Also known as primary pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension can develop many complications, some life-threatening. One dangerous complication that may be experienced by individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension is cor pulmonale, which is a condition in which the right ventricle of the heart enlarges and, in time, fails ...

Do I have a Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH) lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension cases in all 50 states.

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