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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
echo investigation-- pulmonary hypertension
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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echo investigation-- pulmonary hypertension
by suffer, Sep 28, 2003 12:00AM
i am 31 F.having increasing difficulty breathing, palpitation, chest discomfort(pressure), increasing hemoptysis-- symptoms started 3 years ago,occurring daily.it's progressive and i know that i am dying.
i had few echos done. all showed mild MR and TR. 1st echo showed estimated PASP 43 (TRp 33mmHg). Second showed TRp 27 (+10)=PASP37.
My questions are:
1. Do I have pulmonary hypertension and are the values correlate with progressive symptoms? will values fluctuate?
2. Are echos accurate in measuring pulmonary pressure in mild TR?
3. For presence of TR , does it mean that i have pulmonary hypertension (i am very worried about PPH).
4.If there's TR is not present, will there still be a chance of pulmonary hypertension?
5. Should i get a cardiac cath?
6. cardiology question: frequency of coughing blood increase. almost daily. when i have chest discomfort i clear my throat very often and this brings out the blood. i can have blood spit out after wake up. lying down seems to promote bleeding.
7.how high should pulmonary pressure be to produce symptoms? and does PPH cause hemoptysis? i am suffering from all the above symptoms (very bad- walking or even turning in bed gives SOB and palpitation and discomfort)-- does it mean that i have pulmonary hypertension and heart failure?
8.my ANA is positive. ESR is always between 20-30. with my symptoms being progressive SOB, palpitation, severe chest pressure on minimal exertion or even at rest, hemoptysis, am i certain to have PPH?
i am scared. i know i am dying. suffering since day 1. dying.
god bless everyone.
-dying Zoe
i had few echos done. all showed mild MR and TR. 1st echo showed estimated PASP 43 (TRp 33mmHg). Second showed TRp 27 (+10)=PASP37.
My questions are:
1. Do I have pulmonary hypertension and are the values correlate with progressive symptoms? will values fluctuate?
2. Are echos accurate in measuring pulmonary pressure in mild TR?
3. For presence of TR , does it mean that i have pulmonary hypertension (i am very worried about PPH).
4.If there's TR is not present, will there still be a chance of pulmonary hypertension?
5. Should i get a cardiac cath?
6. cardiology question: frequency of coughing blood increase. almost daily. when i have chest discomfort i clear my throat very often and this brings out the blood. i can have blood spit out after wake up. lying down seems to promote bleeding.
7.how high should pulmonary pressure be to produce symptoms? and does PPH cause hemoptysis? i am suffering from all the above symptoms (very bad- walking or even turning in bed gives SOB and palpitation and discomfort)-- does it mean that i have pulmonary hypertension and heart failure?
8.my ANA is positive. ESR is always between 20-30. with my symptoms being progressive SOB, palpitation, severe chest pressure on minimal exertion or even at rest, hemoptysis, am i certain to have PPH?
i am scared. i know i am dying. suffering since day 1. dying.
god bless everyone.
-dying Zoe
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Sep 28, 2003 12:00AM
, Sep 28, 2003 12:00AM
Zoe, I'm sorry to hear of your ordeal.
you certainly aren't dying of your pulmonary pressures. However I do not doubt the severity of your illness.
1) You have mild pulmonay hypertension by the numbers you describe by echo.
2) Echos use the speed of the TR to extrapolate the data to determine a pressure. Some factors can lead to inaccurate results, mostly related to imaging techniques.
3) Mild TR is a very comon finding, and not necessarily abnormal.
4) Yes.
5) That is a difficult question. Your symptoms seem to be out of proportion to the level of pressures you have on the echo. However alot of your symtoms seem to be more systemic. I would recommend you see a pulmonary hypertension specialist before proceeding with further invasive testing.
6) Pulmonary hypertension can lead to hemoptysis. However alot of diseases that can lead to pulmonary hypertension such as lupus (with hemmorhagic capillaritis, or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome) or venous thromboembolic disease can lead to hemoptysis.
7) there is no cut point between pressure and symptoms.
8) if your ana is positive and you have as many systemic symptoms as you mention I would suggest you seek referral to a pulmonary hypertension specialist or a rheumatologist for further evaluation.
hope this is a start.
you certainly aren't dying of your pulmonary pressures. However I do not doubt the severity of your illness.
1) You have mild pulmonay hypertension by the numbers you describe by echo.
2) Echos use the speed of the TR to extrapolate the data to determine a pressure. Some factors can lead to inaccurate results, mostly related to imaging techniques.
3) Mild TR is a very comon finding, and not necessarily abnormal.
4) Yes.
5) That is a difficult question. Your symptoms seem to be out of proportion to the level of pressures you have on the echo. However alot of your symtoms seem to be more systemic. I would recommend you see a pulmonary hypertension specialist before proceeding with further invasive testing.
6) Pulmonary hypertension can lead to hemoptysis. However alot of diseases that can lead to pulmonary hypertension such as lupus (with hemmorhagic capillaritis, or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome) or venous thromboembolic disease can lead to hemoptysis.
7) there is no cut point between pressure and symptoms.
8) if your ana is positive and you have as many systemic symptoms as you mention I would suggest you seek referral to a pulmonary hypertension specialist or a rheumatologist for further evaluation.
hope this is a start.
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I'd appreciate any info anybody can give me. :o)
Please seek support through your family, local church or community. This is the time to reach out. You'll find many people who will know what you're going through, offer support and hold your hand. Don't isolate yourself. There are anonymous online communities that can help,too. Search under "pulmonary hypertension" and post your thoughts, feelings and worst fears.
You are not dying, you are living. Look around you and take in the nuances of nature, your family and friends. This is a beautiful life, and we all have to face our worst fears and learn how to accept the hand we're dealt. It makes you stronger and better, even if your rebirth occurs late in life and feel that your fate is unfair.
Please, seek help, pray or meditate and imagine what kind of legacy you'd like to leave. Do you want your family or friends to remember you consumed by your suffering? If you believe in God, trust that what you're going through has some kind of purpose that you may not be able to see now. Even those who are reading your post may be moved. I know I was. Your illness puts other health challenges into perspective.
An anti-anxiety drug can help, too. Medication, support and talking about what your going through will bring you inner peace, even if physically you feel miserable.
If you're faithful, God will provide. He will fill your life with unexpected blessings, especially during moments when you're suffering the most.
With love,
Kim