Symptoms of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

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Pulmonary arterial hypertension, also known as primary pulmonary hypertension, is a condition in which the blood pressure of the lungs increases. This increase is gradual and is due to the blood vessels in the lungs losing their elasticity. With the blood vessels constricted, the heart finds it harder to pump blood through the lungs to receive oxygen. As time progresses, the blood vessels becomes stiffer and begins to impede the blood flow, further raising the blood pressure in the lungs. All this strain overworks the heart and will eventually cause heart failure.

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. The most common symptom of pulmonary arterial hypertension is dyspnea or shortness of breath. Dyspnea may also be perceived as painful or difficultly breathing. A non-productive cough and overall bodily fatigue are also typical signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Some individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension may experience angina pectoris, which is chest pain due to a lack of oxygenated blood in the muscles of the heart. Many people describe the discomfort of angina pectoris as heaviness in the chest, a pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation. Some others describe it as a choking or burning sensation. Chronic angina pectoris should be addressed by the physician right away as it can be a precursor to a heart attack.

A less common symptom of pulmonary arterial hypertension is fainting, known medically as syncope. Fainting is a sudden, momentary loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen and blood in the brain. Immediately prior to fainting, the individual may feel dizzy, their vision dims, and they may feel a rush of heat. In moments, the individual’s vision turns black and they drop to the floor. If an individual faints in the wrong place, such as while driving a car, it can cause a very dangerous situation.

In rare cases, patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension may experience peripheral edema, which is an accumulation of fluid in the areas of the body most affected by gravity. The swelling is most common in the ankles and feet, but has also been known to affect the abdomen if left untreated for long enough. Another rare symptom of pulmonary arterial hypertension is hemotysis, a patient coughing up blood.

The symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension may not appear until up to ten years after the exposure to whatever is responsible for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is especially true when it comes to the diet drug and stimulants linked to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. These medications, such as Fen Phen, Pondimin, Redux, and ephedra are considered to be a major cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension, potentially affecting millions of individuals.

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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