NetWellness Pulmonary Hypertension

RVSP normal?

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:11:00 EST

Question: I had heart failure from pregnancy 12 years ago, I went to a routine echo this past month. My Ejection Fraction is back up to 58% and things are looking great. However in all the notes my doc said "pulmonary hypertension suggested"

Tricuspid Valve is Mild Regurgant, estimated RVSP 24m . . .

Answer: It sounds like you have developed a cardiomyopathy during your pregnancy and have now recovered. An RVSP of 24mm Hg is within the normal range .

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary HTN

Robert Schilz DO, PhD — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:11:00 EST

Question: I am a hospice RN caring for a pt w/PAH, idiopathic, along w/CHF. The pt is being treated w/Sildenafil, he is now showing continuous moderate pedal edema, abdomen is distended, SOB @ rest on 6-8 L O2 via n/c, sats ~ 88-91% @ rest, dropping to low to mid 70`s w/exertion; he is facing end of life issu . . .

Answer: Overall, the issues of hospice care and end of life conversations are critically dependent on the details of the patient as well as the relationship and communication with the caregivers.

I have neither details nor relationship to answer this question fairly.

I suggest that y . . .

Ask an Expert: Robert Schilz DO, PhD, Pulmonary Hypertension

Neck `bulges` when stressed

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:09:00 EST

Question: Hello Dr. Sood - I am not sure this has anything to do with PH. Please let me know if it should be forwarded to another area. Thanks, as always. Brenda Clark, OSU NetWellness Program Manager

I was talking with a friend today who remarked that when I`m talki . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. This question would be better answered in the Women's Health topic. Please look in that topic for an answer to your question.

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

Confused about my PH diagnosis

Robert Schilz DO, PhD — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:07:00 EST

Question: I am a 41 year old female runner. I have been running for almost 20 years (including completing 11 marathons and 20 half marathons) and a few years ago I started having shortness of breath while running. My family doctor send me to pulmonary specialist who tested me for asthma and exercise induced a . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. NetWellness is a patient education website that provides general information but not individual advice. Unfortunately, your questions fall outside the scope of this service.

I will apologize in advance since I cannot make specific r . . .

Ask an Expert: Robert Schilz DO, PhD, Pulmonary Hypertension

What is RVSP on an Echocardiogram?

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:02:00 EST

Question: my mother has pulmonary fibroysis and pulmonary hypertension can you tell me if an rvsp of 72 is really serious

Answer: Patients with lung fibrosis can frequently develop pulmonary hypertension. The sure way of telling if the pressures are high in the lungs is to measure them during a cardiac catheterization. Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment for the pulmonary hypertension that occurs with lung fibr . . .

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary Hypertension

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 01:02:00 EST

Question: I had an echo 10 years ago which was normal. 9 mos ago when I had an echo the RSVP was 48 then 3 mos later 47. 9 mos later 57-60. I have had ANA tests which were negative. My lung function test was good and arterial gas too. My cardiologist says it is due to weight. I am concerned that the pressure . . .

Answer: You do not state what your symptoms were that prompted your physicians to obtain the echocardiogram. Untreated sleep apnea can definitely cause an increase in RVSP (and pulmonary hypertension) and the treatment of sleep apnea can result in an improvement. It is not clear if obesity causes pulmonar . . .

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

Dizziness

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:11:00 EST

Question: I do have PH but for a few months now I have been dizzy and my doctors can`t figure out why. Can dizziness be a symptom of PH?

Answer: Dizziness with exertion is a symptom of pulmonary hypertension, it should improve with treatment.

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

How Often for Right Heart Catheterization?

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:11:00 EST

Question: If one has been on medication to treat pulmonary hypertension and receives a follow up right catheterization, if the pulmonary pressure is then normal, is it possible to terminate the medication? Also, how frequently is a right heart catheterizations performed?

Answer: This is a clinical decision and depends on what the numbers and the patient's condition were prior to starting treatment. If the patient is feeling a lot better, most physicians may not do a repeat catheterization. The medications are not terminated even if the pressures are normal.

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

Elevated PASP

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:10:00 EST

Question: I`m a 57 (3 weeks shy of 58) year old VERY fit male. I`m 5`4 and weigh 128 lbs. I have a life long history of irregular heartbeats starting in my teens. At 39 I went into atrial fib after a work out. I`ve been on digoxon (0.25) and atenolol (25 mgs) ever since. I don`t smoke, drink, do any illicit d . . .

Answer: It is hard to interpret to the echocardiogram since you feel so well. The pressures on the echo can vary and are not always accurate. Pulmonary hypertension (high pressures in the vessels in the lung) can be a result by many different processes. You mention mitral regurgitation too, which can lead t . . .

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension

New Preliminary Diagnosis

Namita Sood MD, FCCP — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:10:00 EST

Question: I`m a 60 year old man who has been having serious dizzy and near fainting spells for about two years. These always happen after standing and walking for about 20 seconds or so and are getting worse. I had a serious bicycle accident recently, which likely was caused by a fainting episode, and caused . . .

Answer: The pressure measured by the echocardiogram is an estimate of the pulmonary artery systolic pressure.

The sure way to confirm or exclude pulmonary hypertension would be a right heart catheterization.

Sleep apnea can contribute to an increase in pulmonary art . . .

Ask an Expert: Namita Sood MD, FCCP, Pulmonary Hypertension