Symptoms

You may not notice any symptoms for a while. The main one is shortness of breath when you're active. It usually starts slowly and gets worse as time goes on. You may notice that you can't do some of the things you used to without getting winded. Other symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Passing out
• Swelling in your ankles and legs

Getting a Diagnosis

If you have shortness of breath and see your doctor, they will ask you about your medical history. They may also ask you:

• Do you smoke?
• Does anyone in your family have heart or lung disease?
• When did your symptoms start?
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Do your symptoms ever go away?

Your doctor may order tests, including:

Echocardiogram: This ultrasound picture of the beating heart can check blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. CT scan: This can show enlarged pulmonary arteries. A CT scan can also spot other problems in the lungs that could cause shortness of breath.

Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan): This test can help find blood clots that can cause high blood pressure in the lungs.Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): An EKG traces the heart's activity and can show whether the right side of the heart is under strain. That's a warning sign of pulmonary hypertension. Chest X-ray: An X-ray can show if your arteries or heart are enlarged. Chest X-rays can help find other lung or heart conditions that may be causing the problems. Exercise testing: Your doctor may want you to run on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while you are hooked up to a monitor, so they can see any changes in your oxygen levels, heart function, lung pressure, or other things. Your doctor may also do blood tests to check for HIV and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.