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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
High Pulmonary Pressure
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High Pulmonary Pressure
by RichDS, Dec 15, 2001 12:00AM
I'd appreciate your thoughts on one of the findings on my recent echocardiogram. I am a 53 yr. old male, and have documented coronary arterty disease, with a stent angioplasty 2 years ago. My BP and cholesterol are well-controlled through betapace, altace, norvasc, and lipitor.
Most echo results were normal, but pulmonary artery pressure was mildly elevated at 35mmHg. There was mild tricuspid and mitral regurgitation noted, the latter slightly increased from the year before. I don't appear to have any symptoms due to these factors.
My cardiologist was not too concerned about the PA pressure, but I've read that this can lead to serious consequences in time. What can cause this increase in pressure, and what is the outlook for this diagnosis? Will the PA pressure increase and cause problems, or could it stabilize or even return to normal? Are there steps I should take or questions I should ask?
Thank you in advance for your comments.
Most echo results were normal, but pulmonary artery pressure was mildly elevated at 35mmHg. There was mild tricuspid and mitral regurgitation noted, the latter slightly increased from the year before. I don't appear to have any symptoms due to these factors.
My cardiologist was not too concerned about the PA pressure, but I've read that this can lead to serious consequences in time. What can cause this increase in pressure, and what is the outlook for this diagnosis? Will the PA pressure increase and cause problems, or could it stabilize or even return to normal? Are there steps I should take or questions I should ask?
Thank you in advance for your comments.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 19, 2001 12:00AM
, Dec 19, 2001 12:00AM
Pulmonary pressures are expressed, in the same fashion as systemic BP's, as systolic and diastolic. The mean or average pulmonary pressure is also usually recorded. If the pressure of 35 is a systolic pressure, I would agree with your cardiologist that it is nothing to be alarmed about and, depending on the cause, whether or not it is likely to get progressively higher. A systolic pressure of 35 is close to the upper limit of predicted normal values and could be a reflection of the mitral insufficiency. It may be helpful to consider repeating the echocardiogram in 6-12 months.
