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Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a rare but serious valvular disease which may develop as a result of prescription diet drug use. When a person develops this deadly side effect from Fen Phen or related drugs, they may or may not immediately present Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms. When Fen Phen drugs, Pondimin and Redux, were pulled from the market in 1997, hundreds of people had already developed Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms and were diagnosed with this fatal disease.

The recall efforts were sparked by a Mayo Clinic study which discovered twenty four cases of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension in patients who had previously taken Fen Phen. Researchers found that of those study participants who had been diagnosed with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, thirty percent had a history of Fen Phen use. In addition to these findings, the FDA received another 75 reports from consumers who had taken Fen Phen, developed Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms, and were subsequently diagnosed with the disorder.

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a condition whereby the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery raises high above normal levels for some typically unknown cause. The pulmonary artery is responsible for pumping blood from the heart to the lungs. When a person develops Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, blood flow becomes restricted, excess tissue begins to develop in the artery walls, and the heart and right ventricle expand. Eventually, the artery's blood pumping capacity becomes so diminished that the heart can fail and death may ensue.

There are some Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms that may alert an individual and their health care providers to a possible valvular condition. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms can include: excess fatigue, trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting spells, peripheral edema (swelling in the extremities), chest pain, a racing pulse, heart palpitations, a new heart murmur, difficulty performing physical activities, and Raynaud's phenomenon. Raynaud's Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms only occur in approximately two percent of all patients, but cause attacks characterized by a rapid and extreme change in skin color and restricted blood flow to the extremities.

When a person first presents Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms, it is important that they seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even when a person develops significant Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms, diagnosis is not always simple. To diagnose Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, a doctor must meticulously examine the patient's family and personal medical histories, past use of illegal and prescription drugs, and current medical results and findings. There are a few different types of medical tests employed to determine if a person with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms has developed this condition. An echocardiogram is the most widely employed and effective medical procedure performed to diagnose or rule out Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.

If you would like to learn more about your legal rights and options after developing Primary Pulmonary Hypertension symptoms, please contact us to speak to an experienced Primary Pulmonary Hypertension attorney.

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More Fenphen Resources

Pulmonary Hypertension Resource - News, Information and Resources regarding Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and other forms of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary Hypertension Association - Features association background, disease and treatment information, news, research, and message boards.