Pulmonary hypertension
Here you'll find our current definition of the critical illness, additional condition or child specific condition we cover. We've also listed any previous definitions we may have had. With each new definition we've highlighted what's changed from the previous definition.
Current definition
March 2020
Pulmonary hypertension
A definite diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension by a consultant cardiologist or specialist in respiratory medicine. There must be clinical impairment of heart function resulting in the permanent loss of ability to perform physical activities to at least Class III of the New York Heart Association classification of functional capacity.
Change from the previous definition
We have removed the need for it to be primary.
Previous definitions
November 2015
Primary pulmonary hypertension – of specified severity
A definite diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension by a consultant cardiologist or specialist in respiratory medicine. There must be clinical impairment of heart function resulting in the permanent loss of ability to perform physical activities to at least Class III of the New York Heart Association classification of functional capacity.
For the above definition, the following is not covered:
- pulmonary hypertension secondary to any other cause i.e. not primary.