Primary pulmonary hypertension, or PPH, is a rare disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery raises to extremely high levels for no known reason. People with PPH also experience changes to the small blood vessels in the lungs. According to the American Heart Association, only between 500 and 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Treatment usually involves a combination of medicines, but in some cases patients may require oxygen treatment to assist them in breathing.
Fatigue
For many people with primary pulmonary hypertension, the first symptom they notice is being tired, which they often attribute to being out of shape.
Respiratory Trouble
People with primary pulmonary hypertension often experience difficulty breathing.
Dizziness
Because of the breathing difficulties, some PPH patients experience dizziness, and fainting spells can also be a symptom.
Swelling
Another sign of primary pulmonary hypertension is swelling of the ankles and feet. This often occurs later in the disease.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is another PPH symptom that also begins to occur later in the disease.
Skin Discoloration
Some people with primary pulmonary hypertension begin to have bluish skin, especially around their lips, in the later stages of the disease.
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