More than half of people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) may experience symptoms during sexual activity, such as difficulty breathing (dyspnea), heart palpitations, and chest pain, a small study found. However, around 2 in 3 patients don’t consider it important to bring up the topic of sexuality to their…

Oral Uptravi (selexipag) provided similar clinical benefits for adults with connective tissue disease (CTD) associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as for those without CTD, according to a health claims database analysis. PAH patients with CTDs treated with Uptravi in real-world settings had similar risks of disease progression…

Researchers have identified a significant risk factor that affects the prognosis of people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in a large 26-year study. They found that elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP), a measure of left heart function, was common in patients and predicted worse outcomes. Pulmonary hypertension…

Referral to a specialized chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) center for follow-up treatment after a pulmonary embolism (PE) — a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lungs — is more likely if patients live closer to the center and have access to a primary healthcare provider, a…

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) — two treatment approaches for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) — significantly improved blood flow dynamics and functional capacity in patients given either procedure, a study from Norway reported. PEA was more effective at reducing pressure and resistance in the lungs’…

A peptide called apelin-17 may be used as a diagnostic biomarker for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), according to the results of a new study. Apelin-17 levels were found to detect IPAH with an accuracy similar to NT-proBNP and GDF-15 — two established biomarkers for pulmonary hypertension (PH)…

True love isn’t just found in fairy tales. Terese Tuohey met her Prince Charming, Timothy (Tim) Tuohey, at a dance. They fell in love, married, and will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in October. In an email interview, I asked if they view their marriage as rare. They agreed they…

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with high utilization of healthcare resources by patients and with productivity loss, starting years before diagnosis, according to a study in Sweden. “The economic and clinical burden associated with PAH suggests that strategies for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments are warranted,” researchers…

Unhealthy changes in cognition, like a focus on worries, can lead to anxiety in people with pulmonary hypertension(PH), while those in behavior, like social avoidance, may cause depression, according to a U.K. study. Greater dyspnea, or shortness of breath, was also a contributing factor when paired with these cognitive or…

Dr. Sahay is a PH specialist based in Houston, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Sandeep Sahay) Day 20 of 30 This is Dr. Sandeep Sahay’s story: My name is Dr. Sahay, and I’m the co-director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Comprehensive Care and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Programs, and associate…

For Lindsay Moretz, it was a long struggle to finally reach an accurate diagnosis. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Moretz) Day 7 of 30 This is Lindsay Moretz’s story: I could write a book about the period of my life from my pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis to where I’m…

Patients, caregivers, family members, and friends are set to mark Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, observed each November to call attention to the complex, chronic, progressive disorder. Awareness and education are vital to heightening the recognition, diagnosis, understanding, and management of pulmonary hypertension (PH), a disease associated with high blood…