I'm really worried about my dad. Hes been having chest pain and finds it hard to breathe when hes walking for a long time, plus hes got this feverish feeling and a cough. The doctor did an ECG and an echo, and while the ECG came back normal and theyve given him something for the pain, which has helped, the echo showed he's got severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Im not sure what to do next. Should we be talking to a pulmonologist to get to the bottom of this, or is this PAH thing not something to be too worried about?

The presence of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as mentioned in the echo cardiography report is a serious concern that should not be ignored. In this case, it is advisable to consult a pulmonologist for further evaluation and management of the PAH. The pulmonologist may recommend specific medications to help manage the condition and improve your father's symptoms. One common medication used for PAH is Sildenafil (Revatio), which helps to relax the blood vessels in the lungs and improve blood flow. Additionally, it is important to address the ongoing symptoms of troubled breathing, fever feeling, and cough. Your father may benefit from a bronchodilator such as Salbutamol (Ventolin) to help with breathing difficulties, along with an antibiotic if the cough is due to a respiratory infection. Overall, it is essential to follow up with a pulmonologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your father's specific condition. Regular monitoring and management of PAH are crucial to prevent further complications and improve quality of life.