Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is the name given to a type of high blood pressure in which the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart are affected. One of the common forms of PH is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), which results in the narrowing, blockage, or destruction of blood vessels in the lungs.

Let’s take a look at some of the lesser-known symptoms of PAH:

Symptoms of PAH

• Shortness of breath
  The first and most common symptom of PAH is shortness of breath. Breathing becomes difficult as the arteries and blood vessels responsible for carrying blood into the lungs and through it to other organs become constricted. The simple task of inhaling oxygen-rich air and exhaling oxygen-depleted air becomes complex because of PAH and may even seem labored. So, simple chores and activities like cleaning the house, climbing stairs, or walking can get difficult and leave an individual short of breath.
• Fatigue and dizziness
  The body and brain do not get enough oxygen to properly perform their functions, as the lungs are not getting enough blood. So, one is unable to complete simple physical and mental tasks with ease, leaving the body tired and fatigued. One may even experience dizziness due to this.
• Swelling of the limbs
  One of the lesser-known symptoms of PAH is swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet. The kidneys of a person with PAH are unable to flush out waste from the body, resulting in increased fluid retention that causes swelling in the limbs.
• Chest pain and erratic heartbeat
  Due to the increased pressure on the heart, the heart muscles have to work harder to function efficiently. This eventually results in heart palpitations and erratic heartbeat. In addition, one might experience chest pain due to higher blood pressure in the heart, which is another lesser-known symptomsof PAH.

Causes of PAH

• Heart diseases
  Certain diseases that disrupt blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body raise the pressure on pulmonary veins, which eventually leads to pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
  To facilitate the diversion of blood from the lung sections that are not functioning properly to those that are functioning effectively, the blood vessels of the lungs narrow. This happens when a person is suffering from diseases like pneumonia, but the constriction of the blood vessels is also caused if the blood has low oxygen levels, increasing pressure on the arteries.
• Remodeling of blood vessels
  In certain diseases, remodeling of blood vessels takes place as the inner lining or lumen becomes narrowed due to the inappropriate growth of tissue around the blood vessel. This puts pressure on the arteries, resulting in PAH.