Diagnosing Pulmonary Hypertension requires a structured evaluation by a heart-lung specialist. The process includes confirming elevated lung artery pressure and ruling out other causes of pulmonary hypertension.

Doctors assess:

Symptom history and functional limitations.
Risk factors and associated conditions.
Signs of right heart strain. Early diagnosis significantly improves long-term survival and treatment success.

Tests Used for Diagnosis

A combination of imaging, blood work, and invasive testing confirms PAH.

Common diagnostic tests include:

Blood tests and autoimmune screening.
Echocardiography to estimate pulmonary artery pressure.
Chest X-ray and CT scan.
Pulmonary function tests (PFT).
Right heart catheterization (gold standard confirmatory test).
6-minute walk test for exercise capacity.

Right heart catheterization directly measures pressure inside the lung arteries and confirms the diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Classification and Severity Assessment

Once diagnosed, severity is assessed using:

Functional class (WHO classification I–IV).
Hemodynamic measurements.
Exercise tolerance testing.
Risk stratification models. These help guide treatment intensity and follow-up frequency.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Symptoms & Care