Pulmonary Hypertension Basics
Pulmonary hypertension is unusually high blood pressure in the lung arteries. When the pressure is raised, the right side of the heart has to work harder than normal to pump blood through the lungs. Eventually, this may result in heart failure.
Pulmonary hypertension can be difficult to identify in the early stages. The symptoms may be mild and vague. And are often similar to symptoms seen in diseases that are more common.
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:
- Shortness of breath with activity or at rest
- Fatigue or weakness
- Fainting or near fainting
- Chest pain or pressure
- Racing heart beats
- Swelling in the ankles, legs, belly
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