The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences has set up expert diagnostic medical facilities for people suffering from symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. The symptoms of the disease are very non-specific and common, including breathlessness, fatigue and cough; hence chances of misdiagnosis are high.
“If pulmonary hypertension is not detected in time, the affected person can die within two-and-a-half years,” Dr Arun R Nair, head of Pulmonary Department, Amrita Hospital, said here during his speech on World Pulmonary Hypertension Day.
The disease can affect new-born babies as well as elderly persons. Between 15 and 50 persons in ten lakh suffer from the disorder. Studies show that in the absence of effective diagnosis, incidence of rare diseases like pulmonary hypertension can rise. The disease can also be transmitted genetically. People living in high altitudes are more prone to pulmonary hypertension, he added.
Pulmonary Hypertension Day
Kochi: World Pulmonary Hypertension Day was observed at AIMS here on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Arun Nair, HoD, Pulmonary Department, AIMS, said that many people fail to take treatment at the right time as they confuse it with asthma.