Do my symptoms of peak pulmonary hypertension signify abnormality?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I had a routine echocardiogram done a couple of weeks ago and just received the results yesterday. The report indicates moderate pulmonary hypertension with a peak pressure of 54 mmHg and a central venous pressure of 15 mmHg. Since I only picked up the results, no one explained them to me, but an appointment has been scheduled with a lung and heart specialist in six months. What does all this mean? I have hypertension and am pre-diabetic. Currently, I am taking Lisinopril 10 mg.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
This suggests that the pressure in the pulmonary circulation has likely increased due to a lung issue, assuming the echocardiogram reveals no other abnormalities. This may be related to obesity; however, we need to rule out other causes of pulmonary hypertension by conducting a CT (computed tomography) scan and several additional investigations. Do you experience shortness of breath or any other symptoms that could indicate an underlying cause? It is important to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and achieving weight loss.
Regards.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
Everything else came back normal; those were the only two items that were marked. I do not experience any shortness of breath. In fact, I have already lost more than 20 pounds in the last four months and have increased my workouts, as I have been able to tolerate them much better. I have been able to increase my cardio and start weights, and I overall feel much better lately, which is why this surprised me.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It does not appear to be a worrisome issue; the likely cause in your case is obesity-related. I assume you do not have nighttime symptoms such as snoring, interrupted sleep, frequent awakenings, or daytime sleepiness, which would rule out obstructive sleep apnea.
Another important condition we need to rule out is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which I believe is also not present. Symptoms of DVT include leg pain and swelling, a history of trauma, being bedridden for some time, or any significant medical or surgical illnesses in the past that required hospitalization and a bedridden state for a few days. Additionally, your physician must have auscultated you to rule out crepitations and interstitial lung disease.
I assume you do not smoke, but if you do, please quit. Also, check if there are any work-related exposures to fine particles or similar hazards. This helps rule out common causes.
It is great that you are losing weight; please continue to do so. The pressures may take a few months to decrease after you have lost weight, assuming it is solely related to obesity. Therefore, I think the best course of action for you is to repeat the echocardiogram in six months during your appointment. If the pressures are still high at that time, we can consider further tests, including a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest, a pulmonary function test, and a ventilation-perfusion (VQ) scan.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
That makes me feel better. I will see the lung and heart specialist in six months. I know that reading so much online scared me and has kept me worried for days. While I understand it could still be a possibility, I feel a little better after hearing your response.
Kindly help.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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