What Is Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hypertension?

Posted on Tue, 7 Jun 2016

Question: Is there such a thing as Exercise induced Pulmonary Hypertension?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No, there is no such terminology.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Sorry, to say but there is no such terminology called exercise induced pulmonary hypertension.
There is terminology called exercise induced asthma.
So please let me know where have you heard about this term 'exercise induced pulmonary hypertension'?
What are your symptoms?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

I have had shortness of breath for about a year. It has gradually gotten worse. PFTs were normal except a low DLCO. CT Chest normal. Echo was normal except for a small left to right shunt. Stress test showed no ischemia but a flat blood pressure response. My oxygen levels stay normal. I have shortness of breath and increased heart rate with mild activity, especially going up stairs or inclines. I am supposed to get an exercise heart XXXXXXX because they want to measure my pulmonary pressures at rest and during activity (because that is the only time I am symptomatic). Pulmonary hypertension was mentioned by two different doctors and I was curious if someone could have a normal echo but still have pulmonary hypertension( If its really early or increased by exercise)?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Pulmonary hypertension is not reversible if at all present.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I don't think it is pulmonary hypertension.
See, pulmonary hypertension is not reversible condition.
It is not possible for pulmonary hypertension that you have high pressure in pulmonary artery while climbing stairs or exertion and it returns to normal during rest.
Pulmonary hypertension is almost always irreversible. It will definitely reflect in echo even during rest.
Only primary pulmonary hypertension is some what reversible with drugs.
But with out treatment, even primary pulmonary hypertension will not revert back to normal.
So I don't think it is pulmonary hypertension.
But you should definitely get done heart catheter to rule out heart related diseases.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar