Lucknow: If one experiences breathlessness while doing something that was previously done without any difficulty, they should consult a doctor rather than wait for the symptoms to worsen, warned experts.Speaking at PH Summit Lucknow 2026 at KGMU, experts said a decline in a person’s ability to walk, climb stairs or perform daily activities could be a sign of an underlying heart or lung condition, including pulmonary hypertension.Former head of the department of pulmonary medicine at KGMU, Prof Rajendra Prasad, said persistent and unexplained breathlessness that does not subside could be a sign of pulmonary hypertension (PH).The condition occurs when blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to the lungs become narrowed, blocked or damaged, forcing the right side of the heart to work harder to pump blood, he said.PH often causes breathlessness and fatigue but can be difficult to identify because conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and lung damage caused by previous tuberculosis may produce similar symptoms.While there is no reliable national estimate of the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in India, a KGMU study of 109 COPD patients found pulmonary arterial hypertension in 68 patients (62.4%) on screening echocardiography.Head of the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine at KGMU, Prof Ved Prakash, said a key red flag is a reduction in exercise capacity. People who could previously walk a certain distance or climb stairs without difficulty but now need to stop because of breathlessness should seek medical advice. Those with existing heart or lung disease should also report any worsening of symptoms.The conference is also discussing pulmonary hypertension associated with left-heart disease, connective tissue disorders, interstitial lung disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a condition that can occur after blood clots in the lungs.Former HOD of the pulmonary department at PGI Chandigarh, Dr D Behera, said the condition can be diagnosed using tools such as MRI, echocardiography and right-heart catheterisation. He said medicines and other treatment options can help manage the disease effectively, particularly when it is detected early.
