Pulmonary Hypertension: Diagnosis

How do doctors diagnose pulmonary hypertension?

Doctors can diagnose pulmonary hypertension through imaging tests, heart tests and blood tests.

Imaging tests

• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
• Heart tests
• Cardiac catheterization (when a doctor puts a small tube with a pressure sensor into a blood vessel)

Other tests

• Physical exam
• Review of your child's medical and family history
• Walk test to check your child's breathing while he exercises
• Blood tests
• If the doctor is not sure of the cause, it is called idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.

Rev. 3/2018. Reviewed by the MGfC Family Advisory Council. This webpage is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.