Pulmonary Pressure

[rjacobs]

If everything is normal on an echo and there are no other illnesses present in a person, is a pulmonary systolic pressure of 28 a concern?

[tracelm]

A related discussion, something new was started.

[suffer]

since someone mention about Primary pulmonary hypertension, i would like to
post a message and hope to get reply from somebody!
i have shortness of breath(SOB) for over one and half year, at first just
like not getting enough air and some 'tightness' in central chest. it
sometimes happened at rest, when i do things in a hurry, or even when i
brush teeth or take shower. my chest 'tightness' seems gradually becoming
'pain' and my SOB worsen. i feel that my chest is not expanding to take
enough air and i always feel breathless and need to take deep breath, but i
am exhausted to take deep breaths because my chest feel so tight and
sometimes i have chest pain. now talking about echocardiogram, i had several
done which showed normal (ie no MR,TR detected and therefore cannot
determine pulmonary pressure), and then 1 episode with mild TR,MR with
estimated pulmonary systolic pressure of 33+10=43mmHg. I was so scared as I
have symptoms of breathlessness, chest pain (does anyone know what's causing
chest pain in PPH) and also blood streak sputum (also for over a year
period). i then had another echocardiogram, which then cannot detect TR, MR
again so cannot estimate pulmonary systolic pressure. But my symptoms
gradually getting worse. I WANT TO KNOW, if i already have these severe
symptoms-- should pulmonary systolic pressure be detected everytime with
echocardiogram? My blood test ANA is also high 1:360 and i have done a
intense research on PPH, which seems that all my symptoms do fit in.... I AM
SCARED TO DEATH. I am 29 female. Chest pain can cause discomfort in throat,
in fact i always get discomfort/tightness in chest and throat almost 24
hours a day, and pain comes on several times a day which lasted for hours. i
have palpitations too. Oh gosh, I am so worried and like waiting to die.
Does anyone have any comment?
what's the pressure value when one started to have symptoms of Pulmonary hypertension?
My systemic blood pressure is around 100/60 but my pulmonary systolic pressure is 43.... would that consider very extremely seriously high as my systemic blood pressure is not high at all?
Pls leave a message in healthboard or email me at ***@****
thank you and god bless.

-Zoe :(

[boo]

I just want to know what happens when your blood pressure sky rockets during an adrenalin surge, I mean is it dangerous?

[arthur]

It's the wrong thread, however, the answer to your question is simple enough.  The "skipped beat" sensation is as you described it...you may notice a missing beat which is followed by a significant "thump" in the chest.. this varies in intensity from individual to individual.

If you really pay close attention to that carotid pulse you may notice that the beat is not actually being skipped, rather, it occurs prematurely and faintly..that's why they are referred to as premature atrial or premature ventricular contractions.  Another check point is that you are getting normally spaced beats before and after the "skip"...which confirms you are getting one of those irritating and, to some, frightening, arrythmias.

The "thump" in the chest comes from the extra volume of blood that the ventricle needs to push out of the heart (since the premature beat partially filled the ventricle, followed by a normal filling cycle).  Hope this helps.  If you feel these symptoms are brand new and are really getting to you, check them our with your doc (I would suggest seeing a cardiologist).

[Peter R.]

(Do I have the right thread here?) I have read all the doctors' answers about PVC's, and one thing is still not clear.  In my carotid artery, testing with my finger, it seems like I am missing a beat.  Happened for 30 minutes the other day.  I also feel a thumping in my chest after the "missed" beat.  Is this PVC?  Is the "thump" a double beat after a missed beat?

[NancyA]

I have what's probably a dumb question.  I know nothing about pulmonary pressure...what exactly is it?  Do things like straining to lift things, or even (gasp) constipation strain cause problems, including PVCs? Does it have any relation to Mitral Valve Prolapse? If so that may explain some questions I have.

[skiping]

I have been there, My PA pressures are in the 30's and I have the same valves leaking slightly as you do too.  I had to go through a cath because of a congenital defect and my PA pressure was a lot better on the cath it was actually 14 mmHG which is normal.  So don't worry.  You will be okay.  Your doctor would have let you know if there was something to be concerned about.  I have a friend with PPH who is on Flolan and her pressures on the medication is in the 80's.  Without the medication it was up to 140-150.  She is on oxygen 24 hours a day and can't even walk up 3 steps.  Be thankful for the 28 mmHG.  Good Luck!

[rjacobs]

Thank you for the reassurance. Can you tell that I'm a hypochondriac. I'm 24 years old, and scared to death that something is wrong with me. I was just looking for a little reassurance that I am okay.

[skiping]

I think the doctors response is going to be the same as it was 4 days ago.  An echo is just an estimate.  No doctor would recomend any further tests for a 28 mmHg reading, unless you have a lot of other problems and that would probably be what would intiate further tests.  Your PA pressure can change with different things.  For a doctor to recommend further testing for PPH or PH your PA pressure should be above 40-50 mmHG.  Just relax you are okay.  Your doctor would have said if he thought you needed further testing.  Remember he did read your echo tape.  Plus if it was really bad they would have had the doctor see you before you left the facility when you had your echo.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear rj,
Normal peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure range from 15 to 30.  The normal end-diastolic is 4 to 12 and the mean pressure from 9 to 18.