More and more suffer from pulmonary hypertension
Science
There are more and more patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension. Around one percent of humanity suffers from it, in the case of older people with concomitant diseases it is ten percent. These research results were presented at the annual conference of the Society for Pneumology (ÖGP) in Salzburg over the weekend.
In a lecture, co-author Gabor Kovacs emphasizes the importance of early detection of the untreated life-threatening disease. Recent studies have shown that even moderately elevated pulmonary artery pressure is associated with increased mortality.
Right part of the heart very vulnerable
According to ÖGP, however, pulmonary hypertension is often not recognized until late: “If the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries is permanent, we speak of elevated pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary hypertension (PH). This condition can damage the right part of the heart and lead to right-sided heart failure, which can be fatal,” reports Kovacs, program line manager at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Pulmonary Vascular Research in Graz:
“Since pulmonary hypertension often occurs in connection with left-sided heart failure or lung disease, it is important to recognize it and treat it consistently. This is the only way to prevent pulmonary hypertension. Of course, patients suffering from other diseases that are considered a risk factor for pulmonary hypertension, such as scleroderma, should also be regularly examined for the presence of pulmonary hypertension.”
New investigation methods
The new guidelines give precise recommendations here. The main examinations are a heart ultrasound and a right heart catheter examination. Other tests and examinations such as computer tomography (CT), lung perfusion scintigraphy, blood laboratory tests or movement tests (spiroergometry) are part of the diagnostic algorithm. “But it is also important that risk factors such as tobacco consumption are avoided and that patients with symptoms of PH seek medical advice as soon as possible.”
Chronic shortness of breath as a warning sign
Symptoms develop slowly and usually worsen as the disease progresses. Those affected suffer from ever-increasing shortness of breath, initially especially during physical exertion, when bending forward, and later also when at rest. leaden tiredness, a general feeling of weakness, unusual heart palpitations, the feeling of heavy legs, for example when climbing stairs, swelling in the legs, also pain in the chest, dizziness up to blue lips and unconsciousness during exertion. “Chronic shortness of breath in particular always needs to be clarified immediately,” emphasizes Kovacs.