The disease that is present in Colombia and some do not know how it affects the body

Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive and chronic condition in which pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases , forcing the heart to work harder to function. This is a diagnosis that many Colombians are unfamiliar with. How can you be aware of its symptoms?

In the midst of World Pulmonary Hypertension Day , Bayer Colombia and the Tejido Azul Foundation, the Colombian Federation of Rare Diseases (FECOER) and Bayer Colombia have shared with Portafolio a press release in which they join the commemoration of this date and also present their commitment to the health of Colombians , highlighting the importance of early detection of this disease. "Although PH can appear alone, it is frequently associated with other diseases, can affect people of all ages (even children) in different ways, is twice as common in women and occurs most frequently between 40 and 60 years of age. Patients may have difficulty performing everyday tasks such as climbing stairs, walking short distances or simply getting dressed," said the aforementioned sources. (See more: Did you know? This is what you shouldn't eat if you have fatty liver) You should know that, based on studies conducted in the country, it is estimated that pulmonary arterial hypertension can affect between 28 and 52 cases per million inhabitants. "This low prevalence has led the Ministry of Health to classify it as an orphan disease , which grants patients a special regimen that guarantees their care by the State," they added.

Regarding symptoms, patients experience fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and bluish discoloration of the lips and skin. " Although it is considered a rare disease, PHT represents a significant challenge for the Colombian healthcare system, as its diagnosis is often complex due to the similarity of its manifestations to those of other respiratory and cardiovascular diseases," he emphasized.

How is pulmonary hypertension classified?

According to the previously mentioned entities, you should know that PHT covers five groups: (See more: How to improve memory after age 50? These are the 7 tips) -Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).-Associated with left heart disease.-Caused by lung disease and/or hypoxia.-Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).-Derived from undifferentiated or multifactorial causes, including sickle cell anemia and sarcoidosis.