Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

If you have any of these, see your doctor. They suggest a condition that may need medical attention.

• Progressive shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Chronic fatigue
• Fainting spells
• Ankle swelling from fluid retention
• Heart pain ( angina )

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to a specialist in heart or lung diseases. A cardiologist focuses on the heart. A pulmonologist focuses on the lungs.

Tests may include the following:

• Blood gas determination
• Cardiac catheterization
• Pulmonary function test
• Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan
• Echocardiogram