Wesley Pulmonary Hypertension Unit

What is Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary Hypertension (Pulmonary arterial hypertension or PAH) is a chronic disease. Typically PAH is an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This disease process leads to an increasing restriction of blood flow through the pulmonary arteries and progressive right heart failure causing non specific symptoms that are often hard to distinguish from other diseases or conditions, particularly in the early stages of the disease. This frequently causes the formal diagnosis of PAH to be delayed, with diagnosis in Australia generally occurring at least 2 years after actual disease onset.

What are the symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?
The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are particularly non-specific, making it difficult to distinguish from many other diseases or conditions, especially in its early stages. As a result, the formal diagnosis of this disease is often delayed. As the disease progresses the symptoms can be noticed more frequently and after less exertion.

Symptoms can include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath – especially when walking up hills or climbing stairs
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Swollen feet and ankles

Screening for Pulmonary Hypertension
While idiopathic (spontaneous/unknown cause of) pulmonary hypertension is considered to be rare, secondary causes are much more common.

Early screening is the key to the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension and is recommended in high risk populations including:

• A family history of pulmonary hypertension
• Patients with connective tissue disease, especially patients diagnosed with scleroderma
• A history of a previous pulmonary emboli
• Patients with congenital heart disease

Testing for Pulmonary Hypertension
Most patients are referred to our clinic with unexplained breathlessness and/or abnormalities on echocardiography. Once referred to our clinic you will be asked questions about your medical history and current or previous medication use including diet pills, alternative therapies as well as any previous history of stimulants.

Further investigations can include:

• Blood tests
• Breathing test
• Exercise test
• Other radiology including CT scans