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Initial symptoms of PPH may be very minor, and diagnosis may be
delayed for several years until symptoms worsen. Typical symptoms may
include shortness of breath following exertion, excessive fatigue,
dizziness, fainting, weakness, ankle swelling, bluish lips and skin, as well
as chest pain. It is difficult to detect PPH in medical examination.
No one knows what causes PPH; however, research into the cause
suggests a number of factors that may be responsible for the disease.
Possible causes include genetic or familial predisposition, immune system
disease, or drugs or other chemical exposures.
Primary pulmonary hypertension is treated with a number of drugs. None
of the drugs that can cure or halt the progression of this disease has been
found yet, but they may relieve symptoms. Some patients take
vasodilators, which help to dilate the blood vessels in the lungs, reducing
the blood pressure in them. In addition, anticoagulants may be used to
decrease the tendency of the blood to clot in the lungs. Doctors can
choose from a variety of drugs that help lower blood pressure in the lungs
and improve heart performance in many patients and medication that may
take a long period of time. Patients with PPH respond differently to the
different medications that relax blood vessels and that no one drug is
consistently effective in all patients.
Most doctors and patients agree that it is very important for both patients
and families to be as informed as possible. This lets everyone understand
the illness and apply the information to what is happening. In addition to
family and close friends, support groups can help PPH patients and give
some valuable experience sharing among sufferers.
16. Based on the information in the text, primary pulmonary
hypertension….
A. is a rare disease that cannot be cured
B. implies malfunctioning of cardiovascular
C. will contribute to death if left untreated
D. optimally needs medical treatments
E. requires long-term alternative therapies
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