Learning about pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) affects around 1% of the global population, an estimated 78 million people, with 80% of those living in developing countries like South Africa.

PH is more than just high blood pressure. It’s a serious condition where increased pressure in the lungs’ arteries places strain on the right side of the heart. In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), these blood vessels may narrow, become blocked, or be destroyed altogether. “This slows blood flow, increases pressure, and over time causes the heart muscle to weaken and eventually fail,” explains Portia Mmenu of Janssen South Africa Medical Affairs.

PH is often misdiagnosed, commonly mistaken for asthma due to shared symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. “When asthma treatments fail to work, further investigation often reveals PH,” Mmenu said.

Additional symptoms include chest pressure, blue or grey-tinged skin (depending on skin tone), fainting spells, and swelling in the belly, legs, and ankles. “Consulting a healthcare professional is critical,” said Mmenu. “They are like detectives, piecing together symptoms to reach an accurate diagnosis and early detection improves outcomes.”

PH is typically diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60, though risk increases with age and certain lifestyle factors. These include obesity, smoking, asbestos exposure, and living at high altitudes. It can also be linked to illegal drug use, some medications, congenital heart disease, and autoimmune conditions like lupus or scleroderma.

In developing countries, added risks such as HIV, tuberculosis, and rheumatic heart disease increase PH incidence.

“Education and awareness are the most powerful tools we have,” Mmenu noted. “Testing for PH during annual health checkups is vital, especially as people get older.” A multidisciplinary approach to care, from early symptom management to advanced therapies, offers the best chance for improved quality of life.

Sources:

1. European Respiratory Review. New trends in pulmonary hypertension. https://err.ersjournals.com/content/32/167/220211. 

2. Mayo Clinic. Pulmonary hypertension. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pulmonary-hypertension/symptoms-causes

3. PMC. Pulmonary hypertension in the developing world: Local registries, challenges, and ways to move forward. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7590932