Causes of shortness of breath (pulmonary hypertension, which is often overlooked)
I felt short of breath when I moved and went to the hospital, but they didn't know what was causing it. In such cases, pulmonary hypertension may be hidden. The heart, lungs, and blood (anemia) are tested first, but pulmonary hypertension is screened for with an echocardiogram (a test that indicates that the patient may have this disease), so it cannot be detected without an echocardiogram. Also, you have to pay attention to the value of the velocity of tricuspid regurgitation, which can be difficult to find.
Subjective symptoms of pulmonary hypertension
Shortness of breath when walking or when tying shoelaces is an early symptom, and as the condition worsens, shortness of breath and feet may swell.
Causes of pulmonary hypertension
There are various causes. There is a rough classification called the Nice Classification, and we will look for these.
| Group 1 | pulmonary arterial hypertension | Blood vessels in the lungs become hardened Other diseases such as HIV infection and collagen disease also fall into this category. |
| 2nd group | Pulmonary hypertension associated with left-sided heart disease | Pulmonary hypertension caused by heart disease |
| Group 3 | Pulmonary hypertension associated with lung disease and/or hypoxia | Pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other high-risk diseases |
| Group 4 | Chronic thrombotic pulmonary hypertension | blood clotting in the lungs Treating blood clots in the lungs with anticoagulants (blood thinners) and balloons |
| Group 5 | Pulmonary hypertension associated with unspecified multifactorial mechanisms | Others |
The explanation on the right is a rough image.
When I go to the outpatient clinic, I am often asked, "What is the cause?", but the cause cannot be found right away. We will look for these causes through testing. Treatment varies depending on the cause and severity.
Current situation in Okinawa Prefecture
Because the number of people with this disease in Okinawa Prefecture is small, it is said that there are people who have the disease but are not detected. If you have shortness of breath and the cause is unknown, it is important to perform an echocardiogram to rule out pulmonary hypertension.