A Japanese study examined whether selexipag side effects were associated with hemodynamic responses and found that headaches might be associated with treatment responsiveness and a better prognosis through mPAP reduction. Read the Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease article

Many health awareness campaigns around the world attribute the progression of diseases to environmental and lifestyle factors; however, genetics is often forgotten. For many diseases, a patient’s genetics is an important biological driver. Genetics is a branch of biology focusing on genes, heredity and genetic variation. All of these combine to explain how traits and diseases can be passed from parents to their children through DNA. In a consensus report summarizing the 7th

Preference for shared decision-making was nearly universal among patients and clinicians. However, priorities differed significantly. Patients more frequently emphasized quality of life (81% vs. 54%) and efficacy of therapy (42% vs. 29%), whereas clinicians prioritized risk of disease progression (67% vs. 30%). Although 92% of clinicians reported eliciting patient values, only 75% of patients perceived that this occurred. There is a discordance in treatment priorities betwe

In 2023, the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI) launched a Pulmonary Hypertension Global Patient Survey. The first global survey of those living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and their caregivers, it aimed to help clinicians better understand the impacts of pulmonary hypertension on patients. Pulmonary hypertension affects people of all ages, genders and demographics, so a truly global response is required. As the only global pulmonary vascular disease charity, t

This week, October 18th to 24th, marks Invisible Disabilities Awareness Week. When we think of disability, we often imagine wheelchairs, casts or another visible cue. But not every disease comes with a visible sign; there may not be an obvious sign telling the world that someone is fighting hard to get through the day. Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a prime example. On the surface, a person living with PH may look completely healthy, but inside, their heart and lungs are fi

"Drawing on decades of patient advocacy, two women living with the rare condition Congenital Melanocytic Naevus argue that lived experience must shape research from the outset, and discuss how genuine patient-researcher partnership transforms science, care and identity." Read the PLOS Medicine article

PHocus study succeeds The PHocus study, a Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the new drug mosliciguat for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease. (PH-ILD), reported good results. After 16 weeks of taking mosliciguat, participants’ pulmonary vascular resistance dropped by over half, their six-minute walk distance increased by 35m, and their NTproBNP level also dropped by half. Based on these very encouraging results, Pulmovant be

October 13 is World Thrombosis Day A thrombosis is a blood clot inside a blood vessel, and October 13 is World Thrombosis Day, a global campaign to raise awareness of blood clots and their risk factors. This year’s campaign highlights women’s blood clot risks throughout life, including those associated with hormonal changes, pregnancy, and menopause. Blood clots can have serious consequences, including pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a clot blocks blood flow in the lung

There is not much data looking at pulmonary hypertension (PH) in interstitial lung disease, except in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A study of patients with pulmonary fibrosis found that 60.7% of those with progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) and 63.8% of those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis had pulmonary hypertension. Read the Respiratory Investigation article

October 10 is World Mental Health Day When we talk about pulmonary hypertension (PH), we often focus on symptoms, medications, side effects, and medical appointments, but taking care of yourself when you have PH means looking after more than your physical symptoms. Your mental health matters, too. Acknowledging the emotional impact of PH tells a more complete story. Talking openly about mental health helps normalize the emotional challenges that can come with a chronic illnes

A 41-study review of children with non-cancer chronic diseases looked at how much radiation they were exposed to during their relatively frequent medical imaging. Children with PH were included. The review found that plain x-rays did not lead to significant radiation accumulation, but CT scans and flouroscopy led to much higher accumulation. Read the review in Pediatric Radiology

A UK study examined the factors that affected physical activity participation among people with pulmonary hypertension (PH). They found four themes: fear of breathlessness; lack of motivation and a desire for monitoring and targets; keeping up appearances; and receiving little advice on physical activity, so they had to initiate communication themselves. The researchers suggest that broadening people's idea of what physical activity is, alongside goal-setting and deliberate m

Men with systemic sclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) tend to have more heart-related complications and lower survival rates. Differences in the effects of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone may play a role. These findings underscore the importance of identifying higher-risk men early and developing treatment approaches better suited to their needs. Read the Clinical Medicine Insights: Cardiology article

A press release announced that the first two patients have enrolled in a trial of a treatment for Group 2 pulmonary hypertension (PH associated with left heart disease). The treatment procedure is minimally invasive and aims to reduce overactive nerve signals that might contribute to changes in the blood vessels in the lungs and to worsening heart and lung disease. Earlier studies confirmed that the procedure was safe and showed potential benefits. This procedure is also bein

Along with the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF) and the Canadian Thoracic Society, PHA Canada adds our voice in support of patients affected by pulmonary fibrosis. September is Global Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a disease involving inflammation and scarring of the lungs. As the scarring progresses, the lungs become less able to deliver oxygen to the body, making breathing increasingly difficult. PF is one

A small molecule called microRNA-224-5p (miR-224) appears to play an important role in the changes to the lung blood vessels that occur in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Researchers found that miR-224 levels were higher in cells from people with PAH and in several animal models, and that increasing miR-224 worsened the disease. In contrast, blocking miR-224 reduced abnormal blood vessel changes and improved right heart function in mice and rats. The researchers believ

In 2025, the USA announced that it would “end global freeloading” of drug prices, reporting that despite having less than 5% of the world’s population, US citizens pay so much more for their drugs that they make up about ¾ of worldwide pharmaceutical profits. Canadians, along with people from other countries, have paid less—sometimes much less—for our drugs because pharmaceutical companies could get a good return on their research investments from the USA. The “Most Favoured

Researchers found that pre-treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients with dual therapy before they underwent balloon pulmonary angioplasty was associated with lower complications and better clinical outcomes, compared to mono therapy. Read the CHEST article

Infusion pump technology for subcutaneous prostacyclin analog therapy has improved, with improved user experiences, simplified priming processes, easier filling, capability for lower doses, and better safety alerts and alarms. This may allow more pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients to safely manage and benefit from subcutaneous prostacyclin analogs. Read the Advances in Therapy commentary

Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) levels were higher in patients with PAH, and SPP1 levels were associated with disease severity. Patients who had postpartum adverse events had higher SPP1 concentrations. SPP1 may act as a predictor of adverse postpartum events for people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), along with other clinical indicators. Read the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology article