A delayed update to my potential "pulmonary hypertension" diagnosis. I had a repeat echo done in early June this year, after the first one showed a pulmonary artery pressure of 65 mm/Hg. The second echo showed the pressure was somewhat less, at 58 mm/Hg, at least that's in the right direction. I saw my cardiologist's PA shortly after that, and we discussed PH in general, though he didn't get into which type he thought I might have, my impression was that they believe from my medical/cardiac history and findings it'd be type 2, ie, secondary to left-sided heart disease. A visit to the cardiologist a few months after that confirmed that they believe this is the type as I do have some other echo findings that confirm mild left-sided heart disease. My symptoms are also very mild- a small amount of shortness of breath at times, but far as I can tell this has not progressed in the last year or so, and continuing to take the furosemide, watching my diet and regular exercise has helped to reduce the edema, so we agreed the best thing to do for now is to continue with that regimen. From what I've read, and this was confirmed by the cardiologist, treating the underlying causes of the type 2 PH is the treatment of choice for this condition, and I'm already taking the beta blocker ( metoprolol), ARB ( losartan and chlorthalidone ( another diuretic) for high blood pressure and heart rate control, and have been taking the furosemide. He mentioned that he prescribes sildenafil for this PH when the patient is symptomatic, to relieve shortness of breath, but we both agreed I wasn't symptomatic enough to begin taking it, so I think the mainstay of treatment for this PH, at least for me, for now, is the meds I take already, including the furosemide, and life style measures such as diet ( watch the salt) and exercise. He ordered another repeat echo to check again on the pulmonary artery pressure- will have that in December, he did say we had to keep an eye on that. He also suggested that I lose the excess weight I carry around as that also puts extra strain on the heart.
This is exactly what I thought might be happening. So I wasn't surprised when the cardiologist came up with it too.
From what I've read, they don't recommend all the other drugs that have come out to treat PAH, in treating type 2 PH, but that sildenafil can be useful in relieving shortness of breath associated with this conditions. Thank goodness, I don't need it at this point. So for me, at this point, I guess we could say the furosemide will at least do its part in keeping my PH at least at bay.