Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis
Diagnosing pulmonary hypertension can be difficult because it isn't immediately obvious during a regular check-up with a healthcare provider. Even when signs and symptoms emerge, they can be confused with other problems in the heart or lungs.
If the doctor suspects that a patient might have pulmonary hypertension, they may recommend these tests to correctly diagnose the condition:
This picture of the heart, chest, and lungs can reveal any heart or pulmonary artery enlargement
Blood tests can check kidney, thyroid, and liver function, as well as blood-oxygen levels.
This test assesses how the heart’s electrical impulses are functioning. An electrocardiogram alone, however, cannot conclusively diagnose pulmonary hypertension. If a doctor suspects pulmonary hypertension, they will likely perform other tests.
Echocardiograms use sound waves, delivered at a high frequency, to form images of the heart. These images help healthcare providers assess heart structure and function. For example, an echocardiogram can help identify issues with heart valves, study how well the heart is moving, or gauge the strength of heart beats.
If any of the above tests point to pulmonary hypertension, this procedure can confirm it. A cardiologist will run a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, through one of the patient’s blood vessels to the heart and pulmonary artery to measure the pressure.
Global Impact of Pulmonary Hypertension
Worldwide, between 50 million and 70 million people—nearly 1% of the world's population—have pulmonary hypertension, and that number is expected to grow as the global population ages. The lifetime cost associated with healthcare services to treat the condition is high. One study estimates that, in the U.S. alone, PAH creates an economic burden of anywhere from $98,000 to $117,000 per patient per year.
Pulmonary hypertension is much more common in low- and middle-income countries, such as in Africa and the Middle East. In these locations, the incidence of HIV infection, congenital heart disease, and rheumatic fever, which increase the risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, are also higher.
There are several challenges to treating patients with pulmonary hypertension in low- and middle-income countries. Diagnosis can take up to three years, and patients have limited access to healthcare services. Medications are scarce, and lung transplant is typically not an option.