Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Feeling short of breath after climbing stairs is often considered a common sign of fatigue. But what if this sensation persists and starts affecting your daily activities? Yes, this is possible. Shortness of breath is not always a sign of fatigue. It could also mean pulmonary arterial hypertension. In this blog, we will delve into what it is, how it differs from regular hypertension, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how health insurance can provide support if you're dealing with this condition. 

Understanding Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a medical condition that affects the arteries in the lungs. It occurs when the arteries carrying blood to the lungs for absorption become narrow, causing increased blood pressure. Over time, this puts extra strain on the cardiovascular system, leading to heart failure if left untreated, which impacts the overall quality of life. 

How is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Different from Regular Hypertension?

While both pulmonary arterial hypertension and regular hypertension, also known as systemic hypertension, involve high blood pressure, they affect different areas of the circulatory system. Here’s how. 

• Systemic hypertension refers to high blood pressure in the arteries that supply blood to the rest of the body. It is often caused by factors such as stress, obesity, or an unhealthy lifestyle and can lead to problems like heart disease, stroke, or kidney damage. 
• Pulmonary hypertension specifically affects the arteries in the lungs, leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. It’s often caused by genetic factors, or other underlying conditions or can sometimes develop without any known cause. 

Given the differences, both medical conditions have different treatment options. Therefore, it's essential to have a clear understanding of both medical conditions.  

What are the Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension?

While you may not notice any severe pulmonary hypertension symptoms initially, as the condition progresses, the symptoms become more pronounced, necessitating medical attention. Here are some of the common symptoms.

• Shortness of breath is one of the most common early pulmonary hypertension symptoms. You may notice it while exercising or even during routine tasks like cleaning. 
• Fatigue: Feeling constantly tired without any apparent reason could indicate hypertensive urgency. 
• Swelling: The strain on the heart can cause fluid buildup in various parts of the body, causing swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen. 
• Chest Pain: You may also experience chest discomfort or pain resembling angina.
• Dizziness or Fainting: Your heart is exerting additional effort to pump blood effectively to the lungs and body, so you may experience dizziness or fainting.
• Bluish Lips or Skin: Reduced oxygen levels in the blood can cause a bluish tint in the skin, particularly around the lips and fingertips. 

How is Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosed?

Diagnosing pulmonary hypertension can be challenging due to the absence of clear symptoms. Nevertheless, it is achievable. With appropriate expertise and skilled professionals, you can effectively identify hypertension urgency.

• Physical Examination: This is the first and most important step in diagnosing any medical condition. The doctor begins by asking about your medical history and symptoms.
• Echocardiogram: This ultrasound examination of the heart assists in assessing the pressure within the pulmonary arteries.
• Blood tests: This is done to eliminate other conditions that could resemble pulmonary hypertension. 
• Chest X-ray: These scans assist in visualising the heart and lungs, allowing for the detection of any irregular changes.
• Pulmonary function tests: This is a fundamental examination that helps evaluate your lungs' functionality.
• Right heart catheterisation: If your echocardiogram indicates the presence of pulmonary hypertension, this test may be conducted to verify the diagnosis. A catheter is inserted into the heart to measure the pressure in the pulmonary arteries directly.

How Can You Treat Pulmonary Hypertension?

While there is no cure for hypertension, it can still be treated and improve the quality of life. Here’s how:

• Medications: Several medications can help reduce pulmonary pressure and improve the functioning of the heart. This usually includes endothelin receptor antagonists and calcium channel blockers. 
• Oxygen Therapy: If your oxygen levels are low, you may be prescribed additional oxygen to help alleviate symptoms. This also helps in reducing strain on the heart.
• Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a balanced diet, a healthy weight, and engaging in physical activities can help reduce strain on the heart and lungs.
• Surgical Interventions: If medications do not work, then surgical procedures like atrial septostomy or even lung transplantation may be recommended. 

ICD Codes for Pulmonary Hypertension in India

In India, the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) categorises pulmonary hypertension under the codes I27.0 for primary pulmonary hypertension and I27.2 for secondary hypertension. The distinction between the two lies in the etiology; secondary hypertension arises from an existing medical condition, whereas primary pulmonary hypertension, also called idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, occurs without an identifiable cause. 

Accelerated hypertension ICD 10 is known as hypertensive urgency, indicating high blood pressure with a rapid increase in severity. 

How Can You Get Financial Assistance?

The treatments for PAH can be expensive, and the long-term nature of the condition means that ongoing care will likely be required. The biggest and most recommended way to get financial assistance is by investing in a comprehensive health insurance plan. It helps cover your doctor visits, medications, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, treatments, and more, mitigating your financial burden. This also enables you to focus on your recovery instead of medical expenses. 

How to Buy the Right Health Insurance for Pulmonary Hypertension?

With many insurance options available in the market, it can be a daunting task to make the right decision. Therefore, you must consider the factors below to speed up the process. 

• Comprehensive Coverage
• Costs
• Network Hospitals
• Claim Settlement Ratio
• Insurer’s Reputation
• Customer Assistance

Wrapping Up

Pulmonary hypertension is a complex condition that requires early detection and proper management to ensure a good quality of life. With appropriate treatment and medical care, you can treat the condition. Additionally, a well-structured health insurance policy can offer vital financial protection to help manage the costs associated with treatment.

With health insurance plans by Niva Bupa, you get various benefits, including extensive coverage, round-the-clock assistance, affordable and flexible insurance plans, a large network of hospitals, and more. We ensure that you have the protection you need when you need it the most. 

Disclaimer: The details provided above are intended for informational purposes only. For accurate medical guidance, please consult your healthcare provider. Health insurance benefits are governed by the terms and conditions of your policy. For further details, review your policy documents.

Disclaimer: The details provided above are intended for informational purposes only. For accurate medical guidance, please consult your healthcare provider. Health insurance benefits are governed by the terms and conditions of your policy. For further details, review your policy documents.

FAQs

What is another name for accelerated hypertension?

Malignant Hypertension is another name for accelerated hypertension. 

What is acceleration hypertension?

When your blood pressure is above the baseline level, it is known as acceleration hypertension. This usually indicates organ damage. 

How to avoid hypertension?

Practice a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and physical activities to avoid hypertension.