Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a condition that causes high blood pressure in the arteries that connect the heart and the lungs. This is a serious condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Here is a list of signs to look out for in people with PAH.

1. Shortness of breath
One of the common signs of PAH is shortness of breath. With high blood pressure in the arteries that reach the lungs, the lungs don’t get enough oxygenated blood to function normally. As a result, the lungs start overworking, leading to shortness of breath. Shortness of breath could occur on and off initially and then become worse.

2. Rapid heart rate
With high blood pressure in the arteries and a lack of enough blood to the lungs, the heart starts working really hard to pump blood to the lungs. This leads to an increase in heart rate.

3. Dizziness
Pulmonary arterial hypertension causes a dip in the performance of the lungs. When the lungs don’t work well, there is lesser oxygen reaching the different parts of the body, including the brain. As a result, the brain reacts and causes dizziness and fainting episodes. This is one of the signs that have to be taken seriously.

4. Fainting spells
As the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery becomes very high, the amount of oxygen in the blood keeps reducing. This can lead to frequent fainting spells apart from dizziness.

5. Edema
Edema is basically swelling in the body. One of the most common signs of this condition is swelling of the limbs. Without enough oxygen, the kidneys get affected and cannot flush waste effectively from the body. As a result, there is water retention, and this leads to swelling.

6. Cyanosis
Cyanosis is the formation of a blue tint to the lips and skin. The skin and lips turn blue when a person is unable to breathe or feels suffocated. This is what happens when your lungs process oxygen inadequately. Without enough oxygen, the skin and the lips start turning slightly blue, and this is a sign of pulmonary arterial hypertension gone extreme that requires you to get the right medical attention quickly.

7. Chest pain
The heart has to put a lot of pressure in pumping blood through the pulmonary artery that it starts getting overworked, and as a result, damaged. This can lead to complications like chest pain. PAH, with time, can lead to cardiovascular problems too and needs to be treated quickly.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension progresses with time and can lead to different side effects that can turn dangerous. If you notice any of these signs, quickly make an appointment with your doctor to rule out PAH or get the right treatment for it.