10 Warning Signs of Pulmonary Hypertension

by Marta Ribeiro | December 8, 2016

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a heart and lung disease that can affect anyone, at any age. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, there are 10 main signs for pulmonary hypertension. While the individual symptoms on their own do not mean you have PH, if you experience any combination of the symptoms you should see your doctor.

Here are some of the most common initial signs:

Shortness of breath is feeling somewhat winded while doing slightly physically challenging activities such as climbing stairs or walking uphill.

Here are some tips to manage your shortness of breath.

Fatigue, or extreme tiredness due to over exertion or illness, may occur in PH due to poorly oxygenated blood. If you experience any kind of abnormal tiredness, it’s important that you pay extra attention to it.

Feeling abnormal pain in the chest area is something that you should always pay attention to. Because pulmonary hypertension affects not only the lungs but also the heart, you should be aware of any signs around your chest area to prevent the rapid progression of the disease.

Study highlights effects of shortness of breath and fatigue in PH patients quality of life. Read more here.

Rapid heartbeat or skipped beats (palpitations or arrhythmias) can be indicators of pulmonary hypertension. If you feel that your heart might be “working” in an atypical way, you should see a doctor right away.

Discover more about pulmonary arterial hypertension here.

Any type of abnormal pain is a sign that something might be wrong. In addition to pain in the chest area and shortness of breath, pain in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen could be a sign of PH.

Discover some breathing exercises that can help pulmonary hypertension patients.

Losing your appetite could is never a good sign. This could be an indicator that something is wrong and it can mean many different things, one of them being the development of pulmonary hypertension.

Discover nine diet tips for a better life with pulmonary hypertension here.

Feeling like you are going to faint, or feeling dizzy all the time (faintness or dizziness can also be known as syncope) can both be signs of pulmonary hypertension.

Find out more about what can cause pulmonary hypertension.

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, particularly when exercising or undergoing any physical exertion, can be a sign that something’s wrong.

Discover seven interesting facts about pulmonary hypertension here.

If your legs, ankles or feet are swollen, something is definitely not ok. While it can be a problem with blood circulation, it could also mean something more serious, such as pulmonary hypertension. A visit to the doctor is advised.

If your lips or skin turn blue, it can indicate something very serious such as PH. This is referred to as cyanosis (lack of oxygen in the blood).

“Lips Painted Blue” is an animated series that helps children understand more about PH and why their lips may change color if they have the disease.

Pulmonary Hypertension News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Print This Page

About the Author

Marta Ribeiro Marta graduated from Universidade Fernando Pessoa in Porto with a degree in Communication Sciences and a Masters degree in New Communication Technologies. She has experience in social media, worked with several media channels, and has also worked as a freelance photographer and a graphic artist for almost 10 years.