I was wondering if a doctor could tell if you had pulmonary hypertension just by listening with a stethoscope?

Question

I was wondering if a doctor could tell if you had pulmonary hypertension just by listening with a stethoscope?

Answer 1

It was my understanding that in order to truly "diagnose " pulmonary hypertension you would need a cardiac cath so they could thread a catheter into the pulmonary artery to measure the exact pressures.

Answer 2

Yes and No.

You can't conclusively diagnosis it with a physical exam, but it can certainly suggest that it is the problem.

As was mentioned, the second heart sound is louder with pulmonary hypertension. As well, patients with this illness often have a non-productive cough. By listening to the lungs a doctor can tell from breath sounds if there is debris or other causes for the cough.

As well, during the rest of the exam, a doctor can examine you for other signs of pulmonary hypertension, which in addition to the heart sounds and breath sounds can suggest the diagnosis.

Answer 3

Yes. Second heart sound in pulmonary area is very loud in pulmonary hypertension.