PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

- Unrecognized disease of the lungs
- Serious lung disease that can be life threatening
- Can have devastating affects if left untreated
- Known as the “other high blood pressure” 
- Simple name, complex health problem
- As of yet incurable
- Treatment options are available
- PH knows no boundaries it affects people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds
- An estimated 2000-10,000 have PAH in Canada

What happens to pulmonary arteries to cause PH?

- Spasm
- Infection/Inflammation
- Clots
- Genetic Abnormalities
- Scarring

Mediators/Chemical involved

- Nitric Oxide
- Prostacyclin
- Endothelin
- Thromboxane
- Serotonin
- VIP
- VEGF

Quick Facts

- People with PAH often do not look sick; an invisible health problem
- Raising awareness about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension SAVES LIVES
- An unrecognized and misdiagnosed illness
- Average person waits 3 years to be diagnosed
- PAH has several early symptoms similar to other diseases, such as asthma.
- Most cases are detected by echocardiogram and right heart catheterization
- Takes a series of tests to get final diagnosis – diagnosis through exclusion
- PAH research is rapidly advancing
- Doctors better understand the causes and mechanisms of PAH
- A PAH gene has been identified
- Gene/stem cell research currently going on in Toronto Canada
- Human trials started in Toronto, Canada  December 2006
- This trial looks very promising – we believe a cure is possible
- Research advances will increase life span and quality of life
- Research will help reduce the cost of treating PAH
- Devastating impact on families
- Known as the silent killer
- Often affects mostly women in their child bearing years, mean age is 36
- Good days and bad days - Can make the simplest tasks of daily living difficult
- 30% of patients do not survive beyond 4 years following diagnosis, even with current reatments
- Until recently 50% of patients died 2 years after being diagnosed
- Today 50% of patients survive 5 years or longer
- At 2000 PHA international PH conference “long-term club” was redefined to mean 10 or more years survival
- Many approaching or passed 20 years since definite diagnosis
- Only cure is lung (double/single) transplant
- Lead to death if left untreated – right sided heart failure will eventually occur
- Fundraising is important to those with PAH
- find new treatment options ~to give longer and better life for patients
- so very important to support the expanding public and private research

Signs & Symptoms

A combination of the following:
- Persistent unexplained shortness of breath (especially when climbing stairs)
- Fatigue
- Swelling of the ankles and legs
- Dizziness upon standing up too fast or climbing stairs
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Dizzy spells
- Intolerance to exercise

- very important for patient to see Pulmonary Hypertension specialist
- Only 2 adult PH specialists in BC
- Only 1 children PH specialist in BC
- Vancouver PH Clinic treats adults with PAH from all over BC
- All PAH children go to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver BC