What is Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH), also known as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, is a life threatening disease caused due to high blood pressure in the lungs. The illness is characterised by elevated pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary arteries are the blood vessels that transport blood from the right side of the heart through lungs. The illness is different from having regular high pressure. It usually affects women aged between 30 years and 60 years, others may be able to lead a normal life due to mild symptoms. Although there is no known cure for the illness yet, doctors may prescribe medications that help the patient in relaxing blood vessels or reducing excess cell growth inside the arteries.

The causes of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension are unknown. But according to the National Organisation for Rare Disorders, nearly 15-20% of patients with PPH have heritable illness. Some forms of the illness are associated with a gene defect that can run in families. As per the researchers, this gene mutation makes the blood vessels more sensitive to some factors due to which they narrow, or constrict when exposed to them. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a serious and ongoing (chronic) illness that may lead to heart failure if not treated.

Symptoms of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Symptoms of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension may vary from person to person. Also, the symptoms may develop so gradually that the patient might not even know about the illness. The symptoms may include:

• Dizziness
• Dry cough
• Fainting
• Bluish lips and skin
• Racing pulse
• Chest pain
• Extreme tiredness
• Feeling like your heart is beating fast
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the legs or ankles
• Trouble getting enough air

The symptoms of the illness may become more severe when the disease progresses. These may include:

• Becoming bed ridden
• Having symptoms even when resting

Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is unknown. It may include one or two of the following:

• Medications: Medicines including anticoagulants, diuretics, calcium channel blocking or vasodilator medicines, pulmonary artery specific therapy, etc. can be used to reduce the symptoms.
• Oxygen Therapy: Supplemental oxygen delivered through nasal prongs or a mask may help if the patient faces difficulty in breathing.
• Lung or heart-lung transplant: People with severe symptoms may require lung or heart-lung transplant.
• Keeping a Healthy Lifestyle: In order to stay healthy, you must make a few lifestyle changes like quit smoking, trying to stay away from high altitudes, being careful when taking medicines, getting pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine and annual flu vaccines, and not participating in activities that may lead to dizziness or chest pain.

Health Insurance Plans That Cover Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Struggling with heart disease is really difficult. And therefore, anyone suffering from primary pulmonary hypertension would want his/her family to stand together with them in such a difficult time instead of being occupied in managing funds. Therefore, it is recommended to have a reliable critical illness insurance policy that protects you against healthcare expenses related to the illness. A critical illness insurance policy pays the insured in lump sum in case he/she gets diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension. Apart from this, the policy also offers cover against various other life-threatening diseases such as coma, cancer, kidney failure, stroke, etc. There is a pool of health insurance policies in the market that cover primary pulmonary hypertension and also come at affordable premiums. A few to name are Optima Vital Plan offered by HDFC Ergo Health, HDFC Ergo Critical Illness Policy, ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection Critical Care Plan, and Care Critical Illness Insurance Plan. The policies not only offer you exhaustive coverage at affordable premiums, but also let you enjoy tax benefits on the premiums paid under them.

Why Buy Health Insurance for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension Online at InsuranceDekho?

At InsuranceDekho you will find all the suitable health insurance that covers Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. The portal offers you a quick, easy, and transparent buying process that does not take much of your time. All you need to do is visit the portal and enter a few details like name, gender, mobile number, etc. and compare and analyse the most suitable critical illness insurance policy from the ones displayed on our screen. Or, you may also connect with customer care executives and share your requirements. They will help you choose the best policy. Apart from the smooth buying process, InsuranceDekho has a lot more to offer.

• Quick issuance of health insurance for Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
• Various critical illness insurance policies from popular insurers to choose from
• Affordable health insurance policies
• Assistance from customer care experts even after policy purchase
• Assistance at the time of claim settlement
• Help during policy purchase
• The online premium calculator that helps you make an informed buying decision
• Flexible modes for the premium payment offered