With chronic pulmonary hypertension, patients present with progressive dyspnea and fatique. Dyspnea is caused by decreased CO (cardiac output) and ventilation/perfusion mismatch.
Syncope, due to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, occurs in one third of patients. Syncope is due to a fixed CO with the inability of the heart to respond to a demand for increased output.
The reduction the systolic pressure gradient across the right ventricular (RV) myocardium and increased RV oxygen demand caused by RV walls stress may result in symptoms of angina in one-third of patients.
During physical examination of the parturient with pulmonary hypertension, a RV heave may be present and an ejection click may be heard over the pulmonic area.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension?
