Can Threaten Life, Recognize Lung Hypertension And How To Treat It

JAKARTA - Lung hypertension is a disease that is not yet known by many people, even though it is dangerous and can be life-threatening. Lung hypertension is a rare and serious condition, which is characterized by high blood pressure on blood vessels (pulmonalis experiments).

The pressure forces the right heart to work harder to pump blood into the lungs. Without medical treatment, this condition can lead to right heart failure and life-threatening complications.

Pulmonary hypertension also has a high mortality rate, with about a third of the total number of patients dying in the first year after diagnosis, and more than half of deaths in five years.

In Indonesia, data from the Indonesian Lung Hypertension Foundation (YPHI) states that it is estimated that there are around 25 thousand patients. This disease can occur in all ages, including children, and events increase with age.

The symptoms of this lung hypertension are the same as several other diseases, so they are often not detected or misrecognized. This makes many people come when the conditions are severe.

"The symptoms often resemble common diseases such as asthma or heart problems, so many patients wait years before getting the right diagnosis and treatment," said YPHI Deputy Chair, dr. Hary Sakti Muliawan, Ph.D, Sp.JP, Subsp.R.Kv(K), in an official statement from MSD Indonesia, Friday, December 5, 2025.

Many who come in severe conditions because the initial symptoms such as shortness of breath are getting heavier during their activities, and fatigue is easily considered normal. In fact, it can be an early sign of lung hypertension," he added.

Thus, public education and capacity building of medical personnel need to be strengthened so that the diagnosis can be carried out early and accurately. This includes specific medicines to deal with low lung hypertension in Indonesia, which must be addressed by various parties, especially the government.

"Of the 15 types of pulmonary hypertension that have been approved in the world, only 5 types are available in Indonesia, and only 2 types are covered by the national health insurance system," said YPHI Chairman, Arni Rismayanti.

Therefore, YPHI together with MSD Indonesia are committed to continuing to provide education related to lung hypertension and making various efforts, including providing support to patients so that they do not feel alone.

"In MSD, we believe that no one should face the struggle alone," said Managing Director of MSD Indonesia, George Stylianou.

"Therefore, we are committed to continuing to support YPHI and patients in an effort to improve quality of life, as well as encourage sustainable education so that more people understand and care about this disease," concluded George.