PH on Its Own Terms

Every Pulmonary Hypertension patient quickly develops a new vocabulary. Here are a few terms and acronyms.

PH = pulmonary hypertension

PAH = pulmonary arterial hypertension

PVH = pulmonary venous hypertension

PAP = pulmonary artery pressure

MPAP = mean pulmonary artery pressure

edema = swelling, usually due to fluid retention

SOB = short of breath

RHC = right heart catheterization

O2 = oxygen

syncope = faintingbecause of a temporary insufficiency of blood to the brain

6MWT = six minute walk test

echo = echocardiogram

PFT = pulmonary function test

ascites = fluid retention in the abdominal cavity

CCB = calcium channel blocker

INR = Pro-time (how long it takes the blood to clot)

CO = cardiac output

NO = nitric oxide and a potent vasodilator in gas form

dyspnea = SOB (short of breath)