Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension

[MBT]

Thank you.

I was recently diagnosed with #1 Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension #2 Essential hypertension, by two PH specialists at a PH Clinic.

I had an exercise echocardiogram with PP's of 32mm at rest increasing to 60mm on exercise. My systemic BP also increased from 160/80 at rest up to 180/105 on exertion. I did a 6-minute walk where my initial BP was 142/100, 175/110 at completion of 1580 feet. I was extremely nervous during all these events. The diagnoses was that my PH is related to my high BP being inadequately controlled - Cardizem CD 120mg qd + 325mg aspirin, with my BP on average 142/75 at home.

So, the Cardizem was increased to 320mg qd, with the understanding that after follow-up with my (new) doctor 2 weeks hence, if my BP was still high then this dosage should be increased or a second agent added. (Other tests were done during my two days at the clinic, but no RH cath.)

On follow-up with my PCP, Cardizem was reduced to 120 mg qd PM and Lisinopril 2.5 mg added AM. I also continue to take 325mg aspirin AM and Lipitor 10mg PM.

My question: I recently have been experiencing muscle pain in both the upper and lower portions of my arms - mostly the right arm - pain which comes and goes in frequency and level, PM on average the worst. Is this something I need worry about?  I am due to revisit the doctor in three months.

I have previously posted here, on the initial diagnosis, of pulmonary hypertension.

MBT

[Cleveland Clinic]

MBT,

As I mentioned before, generally there is a workup involved in pulmonary hypertension.  Usually, there is an underlying cause of the elevated pulmonary pressures beyond "exercise induced pulmonary hypertension"

Pulmonary pressures will generally increase as your systemic blood pressure increases so those are related. It is very important to get to the cause of the elevated pulmonary pressures.

The muscle pains you mention do not sound related solely to the pressures.

good luck