Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH)

What is IPAH?

Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, also called IPAH, is a type of high blood pressure that occurs in the right side of the heart and in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. These arteries are called the pulmonary arteries. When the pressure in these arteries increases, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. 

What are the signs and symptoms of IPAH?

The most common symptoms include:

• Getting tired easily

• Shortness of breath with activity

• Chest pain and discomfort

• Fast heart beat

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

• Fainting

• Decrease or loss of appetite

• Weight gain

• Swelling in the ankles

• Stomach settling or fullness

How is IPAH diagnosed?

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and may request the following tests:

• Heart catheterization

• CT Scan (Computed Tomography Scan)

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

• PFT (Pulmonary Function Test)

• Echocardiogram (a test that uses sound waves to show pictures of the heart)

How is IPAH treated?

There is no known cause or cure for IPAH. The goal of treatment is to improve your symptoms. Your treatment may include:

• Medications-  such as blood thinners (medicine to reduce the risk of blood clots), diuretics (medicine to help your body get rid of extra fluid), or vasodilators (medicine to make the blood vessels larger)

• Oxygen therapy

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation