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 are pleased to present the 2011 National PH Conference video. We hope you enjoy it and we hope to see you at the next conference in 2013.

Looking for Paul Adam's "Let me Breathe" music video? It has been moved to our Awareness Section. Click here to view.

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

Share your PH dream and help raise awareness

PHA Canada is currently working on an awareness project and we need your help! We are putting together a short video that raises awareness of PH by showing the dreams that those affected by PH (patients, families, friends and even medical professionals) have with regards to this disease. Whether..... [more]

New Data Released At ISHLT Meeting May Impact Treatment for Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

source: Marketwatch.com PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Apr 19, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- An initial report from the EPITOME-1 (Epoprostenol for Injection in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) study of a new formulation of the drug therapy epoprostenol, ma..... [more]

Canadian health policy and rare disease pt 1: Pulmonary Hypertension

Source: Newsweasel.com On a snowy February morning, Helen Britt swings open the festively painted door of her suburban bungalow home calling on her guest to park closer and step carefully. Her gentle smile and cheery blue green eyes at first mask the clear plastic tu..... [more]

Soprano sings about importance of organ donation

Source: CBSnews.com By Seth Doane (CBS News) About 113,000 Americans are waiting for new organs, but many will not live long enough to get them. To raise awareness of the need for organ donors, one young patient is raising her voice, sharing her remarkable story of survival. Charity Til..... [more]

Young Salmon Arm medal bearer inspires

Source: Salmon Arm Observer Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay participant Hannah Baskill transfers the relay medal to teacher Nora Kennett. Lynda Hooper Hannah Baskill’s smile was as bright as her daffodil-coloured team jacket, as she arrived to the point of medal t..... [more]

New Data on GeNO LLC Nitric Oxide Delivery System to be Presented at ISHLT Conference Next Week

First Human Data for NITROSYL Examines Response to Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Cardiac Transplant Patients source: Biotechnology News Today PR Newswire COCOA, Fla., April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GeNO LLC (www.genollc.com), a privately held, advanced development-stage technology comp..... [more]