Which symptom is considered a hallmark of pulmonary hypertension?

Palpitations are considered a hallmark symptom of pulmonary hypertension because this condition leads to an increase in pressure within the pulmonary arteries, making the heart work harder to pump blood through the lungs. As a result, many patients experience palpitations, which are often described as a rapid or irregular heartbeat. These sensations can arise from the heart's efforts to compensate for the decreased oxygenation that occurs due to impaired blood flow in pulmonary hypertension. This symptom can be alarming for patients and is a significant indicator of the cardiovascular strain caused by the elevated pulmonary pressures.

In contrast, while rapid weight loss, anxiety attacks, and bleeding gums could potentially occur in various medical conditions, they are not specifically characteristic of pulmonary hypertension. Rapid weight loss may suggest other metabolic or systemic issues, anxiety attacks are more related to psychological health, and bleeding gums typically indicate dental or hematological problems, rather than being directly linked to elevated blood pressure in the lungs. Thus, palpitations distinctly align with the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension, marking them as a key symptom in its presentation.