A disease that narrows the blood vessels between the heart and lungs
Excessive blood pressure increases the risk of heart failure
If you feel tired, have difficulty breathing, or have swelling, seek medical attention.
Survival for more than 20 years with early drug treatment
Kim Jeong-ran (pseudonym, 40) recently experienced frequent symptoms of body swelling, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Kim visited a local hospital and found out through an X-ray that her heart was enlarged. The medical staff recommended treatment at a university hospital, and Kim visited Inha University Hospital.
Professor Shin Seong-hee of the Department of Cardiology at Inha University Hospital suspected ‘pulmonary hypertension’ after confirming through chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and cardiac ultrasound that the right heart was enlarged and the right ventricular function was significantly reduced.
Mr. Kim was admitted to the hospital and underwent right heart catheterization (a test that directly measures pulmonary blood pressure). The test results showed high pulmonary artery blood pressure and increased pulmonary resistance, confirming pulmonary hypertension.
Mr. Kim is currently maintaining his health through medication. In the past, the average survival rate for those diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension was only 2 to 3 years, but with recent advances in diagnostic technology and medication for pulmonary hypertension, long-term survival is possible if diagnosed early.
According to Professor Shin, pulmonary hypertension is a disease in which the pulmonary blood vessels between the heart and lungs become narrow, pulmonary arterial resistance increases, and the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries that send blood from the heart to the lungs becomes abnormally high.
Unlike the commonly known hypertension, it can cause an increase in blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation, which increases the burden on the right ventricle and can cause complications such as ‘heart failure’. Early detection and treatment are important for pulmonary hypertension. The Korean Society of Pulmonary Hypertension analyzed through related research that if pulmonary hypertension is detected early and treated appropriately, the survival period can be extended by 10 to 20 years or more.
However, pulmonary hypertension is one of the diseases that is difficult to diagnose early. It is a rare disease with a low incidence and no specific symptoms, so there is a high possibility of misdiagnosis in the early stages.
Pulmonary hypertension presents symptoms similar to those of common anemia, heart disease, and lung disease, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and edema. The medical community estimates that 4,500 to 6,000 patients lose their lives each year due to not being properly diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.
However, according to data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, only about 3,300 patients received treatment for pulmonary hypertension in 2022. This means that there are many hidden patients who are not aware of the disease.
Since pulmonary hypertension has a high mortality rate if not diagnosed or treated properly, it is necessary to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat it through a detailed examination at a hospital with a specialist with a lot of experience in the field. Furthermore, since pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease, it is even more important to find a hospital with the ability to diagnose and treat it. It is also necessary to have a collaborative system with various departments such as cardiology, rheumatology, respiratory medicine, and thoracic surgery.
Pulmonary hypertension is not a disease that can be cured. However, as various drugs have been developed, the average survival period has been reported to have increased from 2.8 years to 7.6 years after diagnosis. There are also research results showing that the survival rate is higher when combined treatment using two or more drugs is performed early for pulmonary hypertension.
Professor Shin emphasized, “Pulmonary hypertension is a rare disease and there is a strong perception that the survival period is short, so many patients are afraid in advance when they are diagnosed,” and “Recently, there is hope as long-term survival is possible with the advancement of drugs and treatments.” He continued, “Since early diagnosis is the key to treatment, it is best for patients to quickly consult with a medical professional when necessary.”
Reporter Cha Jun-ho [email protected]
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2024-08-20 06:21:39