Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Care at Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital

Pulmonary arterial hypertension, often called PAH, is a serious condition that affects the blood vessels between the heart and lungs. When pressure in the pulmonary arteries becomes abnormally high, the right side of the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. Over time, this may lead to worsening shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, and even right heart failure.

For patients and families, PAH can be difficult to recognize in the early stage because its symptoms may look similar to ordinary tiredness, poor recovery after illness, or general heart and lung discomfort. Some patients may experience breathlessness after light activity, difficulty climbing stairs, chest discomfort, dizziness, swelling, or bluish lips caused by low oxygen levels.

In Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital has built a specialized clinical team focusing on pulmonary arterial pressure abnormalities and pulmonary arterial hypertension. On March 4, 2025, Zhejiang Province announced the first batch of selected “Small but Strong” Clinical Innovation Teams. The Pulmonary Arterial Pressure Abnormality Team of Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital was the only team in Ningbo to be included in this list.

This recognition highlights the hospital’s long-term work in the diagnosis, treatment, research, and patient management of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

A Multidisciplinary Team for Complex PAH Care

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is not only a lung disease. It often requires close cooperation between different medical specialties because the condition may involve the heart, lungs, immune system, blood vessels, and long-term medication management.

The PAH team at Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital brings together specialists from several departments, including respiratory and critical care medicine, cardiology, thoracic surgery, interventional radiology, rheumatology and immunology, pharmacy, laboratory medicine, and medical-engineering innovation research.

This multidisciplinary model is especially important for patients whose PAH is related to connective tissue diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE. In these cases, doctors need to manage both the underlying immune disease and the elevated pulmonary artery pressure.

A Patient Story: From Severe Symptoms to Long-Term Management

One patient, referred to as Ms. Hu, began experiencing progressive fatigue and shortness of breath after giving birth. At first, she believed her symptoms were related to poor postpartum recovery. However, rest did not improve her condition. Her breathlessness became worse, she could no longer climb stairs easily, and even simple activities such as going out to buy groceries became difficult.

Her lips also began to appear slightly purple, a possible sign of low oxygen levels.

After medical examinations, Ms. Hu was diagnosed with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and connective tissue disease. This diagnosis meant that her immune disease and pulmonary vascular disease both needed careful management.

At Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Wu Shibo from the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine worked together with specialists from cardiovascular medicine and rheumatology and immunology. The treatment strategy focused on two key goals: controlling lupus activity and keeping pulmonary arterial hypertension at a lower-risk level.

The team used a combined approach, including medication to control immune activity and targeted therapy to help reduce pulmonary artery pressure. Over time, Ms. Hu’s condition gradually stabilized.

During the following five years, she continued regular follow-up visits and underwent periodic right heart catheterization assessments to monitor pulmonary artery pressure. Based on her test results and clinical condition, the medical team adjusted her treatment plan when needed. Today, Ms. Hu has returned to work and resumed a more normal daily life.

Her case shows the importance of early recognition, specialist evaluation, long-term follow-up, and coordinated care for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

PAH can progress quietly. In the beginning, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise tolerance may be ignored or mistaken for other health problems. However, untreated or poorly controlled pulmonary arterial hypertension can place increasing pressure on the right side of the heart.

Patients should seek medical evaluation if they experience persistent or worsening symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath during daily activity
• Fatigue that does not improve with rest
• Difficulty climbing stairs
• Dizziness or fainting
• Chest discomfort
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
• Bluish lips or skin

These symptoms do not always mean a patient has PAH, but they should not be ignored, especially if they continue or become worse.

Specialized PAH Services at Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital

According to the hospital’s clinical team, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital has developed strong capabilities in pulmonary vascular disease care. The hospital’s PAH team has built a foundation in clinical diagnosis, targeted treatment, patient follow-up, and scientific research.

The team is also working to improve PAH screening, optimize diagnosis and treatment workflows, and explore the use of artificial intelligence to support earlier detection and better patient management.

For patients with complex PAH, especially those with immune-related conditions, multidisciplinary care can help doctors evaluate the disease more comprehensively and design a more individualized treatment plan.

Support for International Patients

For international patients considering medical care in China, pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment requires careful preparation. Patients should prepare previous medical records, imaging reports, echocardiography results, right heart catheterization reports if available, medication history, and any diagnosis related to autoimmune or connective tissue disease.

A coordinated medical service platform can help overseas patients communicate with hospitals, organize medical documents, arrange specialist consultations, and understand the treatment process before traveling.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a serious but manageable condition when patients receive timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and long-term follow-up. Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital’s specialized PAH team provides a strong example of how multidisciplinary care can support patients with complex heart, lung, and vascular disease.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general health information only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients with suspected pulmonary arterial hypertension should consult qualified medical professionals.