What physical finding is suggestive of pulmonary hypertension?

The presence of a systolic ejection click can be associated with conditions affecting the heart and great vessels, including pulmonary hypertension. In instances of pulmonary hypertension, the right ventricle faces increased workload as it pumps against elevated pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This strain can lead to changes in the normal functionality of the heart, including the presence of abnormal heart sounds such as a systolic ejection click.

While a systolic ejection click might suggest changes in the cardiac structure or function related to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation, the other options represent findings less specific to pulmonary hypertension. For example, wheezing may point to obstructive airway disease, pleuritic chest pain is typically associated with pleural or lung pathology, and cor pulmonale, while related to pulmonary hypertension, usually manifests at more advanced stages or due to chronic lung diseases. The finding of a systolic ejection click directly reflects the hemodynamic changes that occur with pulmonary hypertension, making it a more indicative sign in this context.