Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension

The symptoms for all types of pulmonary hypertension (PH) may be similar, and symptoms are usually more severe as the disease progresses. Symptoms of PH may include:

  • Breathlessness
  • Chest pain (also called angina pectoris)
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting (also called syncope)
  • Loss of energy
  • Swelling of the arms, legs, ankles or abdomen (also called edema)
  • Dry cough
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon (chalky white or dusky blue fingers that may be painful and can sometimes be provoked by the cold)

In advanced stages of pulmonary hypertension, minimal activity may produce some or all of these symptoms. Patients in advanced stages may experience irregular heartbeat, a racing pulse, passing out and difficulty breathing at rest.

Sometimes these symptoms mean you have another condition, but sometimes, these symptoms mean you have pulmonary hypertension.