FAQs about PH

Here are some insights into PH, that I found on a PH site, from India:

Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is considered a very rare disease, and its symptoms are not unique. They can have a lot in common with other respiratory diseases. 

Symptoms can include:

• breathlessness with everyday activities (especially climbing stairs or going uphill)
• tiredness
• discomfort in the chest
• palpitating/ throbbing heart
• swelling of the abdomen, in the legs and around ankles
• dizzyness
• fainting spells
• bluish lips or skin

(I've experienced all, except for the last one.)

The FAQs


Outwardly, I look healthy. People don’t believe I am ill.

One of the first and gravest issues that a patient might face, it has no easy answers.

While one may outwardly look healthy, there is no overlooking the fact that PH is a serious ailment and it helps to have alert and helpful people around who can call out for medical aid, if need be. If privacy is not an issue, it is suggested that one does let trusted friends/colleagues/aides know. In addition, helping hands like the housekeeper, the lift and the car park attendants could be instructed to push open heavy doors or help with weighty bags on account of a ‘heart condition’.

What lifestyle changes should one effect?

Abstain/ keep off:

• polluted air
• smoke (including cigarette), Dust & Talc
• carrying weight
• speaking loudly (seriously?! But why?)
• climbing (including staircases)
• high altitudes beyond 2500m
• hot tub/sauna/long hot baths/showers (can lower blood pressure suddenly leading to fainting/ sudden collapse)

Limit:

• processed foods
• water intake (less than 1.5 Litres/day)

My PH has been given a “Class”. What is it?

Once diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, the doctor may classify the disease using World Health Organisation guidelines:

• Class I: When symptoms (fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain) do not exist at all / No limitation of physical activity
• Class II: When symptoms do not exist at rest, but come about with normal activity / Slight limitation of physical activity
• Class III: When comfortable at rest, but have symptoms with less than normal activity / Marked limitation of physical activity
• Class IV: When symptoms exist even at rest / Inability to carry out any physical activity without symptoms / Impairment of the heart

(I was told by my doctor that I am in Class II)

Does one need to take precautions as a PH/PAH patient?

Precautions that are desirable:

• having supplemental oxygen available during air travel
• careful and medically advised use of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections
• getting vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia and flu (pneumonia can be a  serious complication with PH/PAH patients)
• prevention of infections (like endocarditis) before undertaking dental procedures

(I need to find out more about those last two bullets.)