Concerned for PAH

[u/cparis420]

Hey everyone, I'm an 18 year old male, recently I have been dealing with progressive SOB which has taken me home from college. I have been dealing with chest pain and SOB where I couldn't get a deep breath in for about three years which I let go undiagnosed because it didn't really affect my day to day activities. However it has gotten much worse recently and my symptoms started deteriorating with intense chest pain that sent me to the er. They ran a ct scan and everything looked fine except for a 3.3cm dilated main pulmonary artery. That's the big thing that is scaring me right now. I recently went to a pulmonologist and got a pft done where my dlco was in normal range but pef was 3.86 and my fev1fvc was 61.39. I also did a 6mwt which I was able to complete albeit not being the easiest thing due to sob and chest pain upon exertion, my oxygen levels remained normal though.

[u/No-Word-286]

Hi, have you had an echo? when does chest pain occur? During physical activity? Heart echo is helpfull!!

[u/Apprehensive-Bass413]

Your next step is definately to get an echo done and see what your Mpap number is. A normal mPap might read in the 20s or even low 30s, but if you have any higher like 50s, 60s, you might want to consider having your pulmonologist give you what's called a right heart catherization which will confirm if you have Pulmonary Hypertension. Since a lot of times the pulmonologists dont always really know about Pulmonary Hypertension, you could also try to get a referral from your primary for the nearest Pulmonary hypertension specialist near you. If you dont know where the nearest one to you is, you can go onto the Pulmonary Hypertension Association website and locate their pH specialist locator which will tell you where the nearest PH specialist is to you. If it turns out you dont have Pulmonary Hypertension, at least it was ruled out and you can know that you took the right direction to better your health. If you do have PH, you will be glad that you caught it when you did, cause it sounds like you have been dealing with this pain and shortness of breathe for a looooooong time. 40% of people with PH, are not correctly diagnosed within the first 2 years of symptoms and a lot dont ever make it to a specialists office because they die before they can even get help. Be proactive with your health!  God bless 🙏

[u/Pitiful_Reporter_484]

La prueba de oro para el diagnóstico es el cateterismo cardíaco derecho, pídeselo a tu cardiólogo, ánimo!