What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

PULMONARY HYPERTENSION, or PH, is a disease affecting the arteries of the lungs. It can strike anyone regardless of age, sex, social or ethnic background. In pulmonary hypertension (which means high blood pressure in the lungs), the arteries of the lungs become narrowed and scarred, which can result in almost complete closing of the arteries. People affected with this disease suffer from continuous high blood pressure in the lungs which results in an enlargement of the heart, and can lead to heart failure.

Some symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are: shortness of breath (especially with activity); bluish or purplish hands, feet and lips; swelling of hands and feet; light-headedness/dizziness, especially when climbing stairs or standing up; chest pain, especially with physical activity; feeling tired all the time; and sometimes even fainting.

We launched PH Awareness Month with a 6-Minute Walk for Breath on November 1, 2012 in Vancouver, BC. Here is our video of the event. We hope you enjoy it and check out other videos listed below:

"I dream of a day when..."

Paul Adams "Let me Breathe"

About The Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association of Canada (PHA Canada) is a charitable organization that was established by patients, caregivers, parents and family members (collectively referred to as “Canadians living with PH” – the loved ones of those affected by PH also live with the disease) on the principles of ending isolation, providing education and creating a united Canadian PH community. We strive to work towards these goals every day by rallying the PH community from coast to coast, in every town, to come together and make sure that PH stops being the disease of which ‘no one has ever heard’.

LATEST PH NEWS

Oestrogen and the sexual dimorphism of pulmonary arterial hypertension: a translational challenge

Source: European Respiratory Journal Jessica K. Paulus*,# and Kari E. Roberts¶⇑ *Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Tufts University, Boston, MA #Dept of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA ¶Dept of …

Health Canada Endorsed Important Information on FLOLAN® (epoprostenol sodium)

Source: Health News Network April 25, 2013 GlaxoSmithKline Inc., in consultation with Health Canada, is providing Canadians with updated information on the use of the pulmonary hypertension drug, FLOLAN®. Some vials of Sterile Diluent for FLOLAN®…

Lung Transplant Patient Hélène Campbell Uses Crowdfunding To Help Other Transplant Patients

Source: Health News Network April 23, 2013 Hélène Campbell announced the Give2Live Campaign, a social media effort that uses crowdfunding to support the needs of those waiting for transplants throughout Canada. "Many patients waiting for an or…

Denis Cormier décoré de la médaille du lieutenant-gouverneur

Source: La Nouvelle Le Collège Clarétain accueillait samedi, dans son auditorium, la venue du 28e lieutenant-gouverneur du Québec, l’honorable Pierre Duchesne. Ce dernier, en compagnie de son épouse, Ginette Lamoureux, a décoré 50 personnes …

Mother runs the London Marathon for PH

Source: This is Surrey Today THIS Sunday 36,000 runners will take on the challenge of the London Marathon, raising tens of millions of pounds for good causes along the way. Many East Surrey residents will be among the runners going through the pa…

Find a Support Group
Meet other people living with PH. There are regular support group meetings held in cities across Canada such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, London and Toronto.