GET INVOLVED
PH Awareness Month
A Month Dedicated to Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness
Each November, the global PH community comes together for Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on the realities of living with PH.
This year’s theme, Heart Under Pressure, highlights the daily physical, emotional, and systemic pressures faced by people living with PH—and the collective effort to help relieve that burden. Around the world, patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals unite to raise awareness, call for earlier diagnosis, advocate for access to new treatments, and push toward one shared goal: a future where no heart lives under pressure.
What is Pulmonary Hypertension?
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (blood vessels) that carry blood to the lungs. PH is a rare but very complex and serious lung disease that is progressive and potentially fatal.
Unfortunately, pulmonary hypertension symptoms are similar to other lung and cardiac diseases, making an accurate PH diagnosis difficult. To know more about pulmonary hypertension, consult the following PHA Canada pages:
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The Socioeconomic Burden of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Canada
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Sometimes It’s PH (for Healthcare Professionals)
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About Pulmonary Hypertension (for Healthcare Professionals)
How Can You Help?
This PH Awareness Month, we’re uniting under the theme Heart Under Pressure to highlight the challenges faced by those living with pulmonary hypertension—and the power we all have to help ease that pressure. Together, we can raise awareness, advocate for access to life-changing treatments, and strengthen support for the entire PH community.
Every action—big or small—helps lighten the load for Canadians affected by PH. Choose one (or more!) of the actions below to get involved and show your support.
Raise Awareness
This PH Awareness Month, join us in spreading the word about pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the daily pressure it places on those who live with it. The more people who understand PH, the greater our ability to drive change, inspire compassion, and push for progress.
Share the word
Follow PHA Canada on social media and help amplify our message by sharing our posts. Use #HeartUnderPressure and #PHAwareness to raise visibility and encourage others to learn more about pulmonary hypertension.
Start the Conversation
Awareness begins with connection. Share your story—or the story of someone you love—and invite others to visit our website to learn more about PH. Every conversation helps reduce isolation and brings us closer to a world where no heart lives under pressure.
Request an illumination
Help us Paint Canada Purple this November! Request the illumination of a local monument or landmark using our simple template. Each purple light shines in solidarity with the PH community, sparking awareness and honouring every heart living under pressure.
Raise Awareness in Your Own Way
This PH Awareness Month, show your support by using our Awareness Toolkit—featuring social media graphics, profile frames, and banners.
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Change your profile picture and/or banner
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Post our graphics with a personal message about why you’re raising awareness
Together, we can help others understand PH and take action.
Fundraise - The 6-Minute Walk for Breath
This PH Awareness Month, join the 6-Minute Walk for Breath—a nationwide event bringing Canadians together from coast to coast to support those living with pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Inspired by the 6-minute walk test used in PH care, this event symbolizes the daily strength it takes to live with PH. You can take part by joining a walk, hosting your own, or fundraising in your community. Every step helps raise awareness and support for Canadians living with PH.
Take Part in the Walk
Join the 6-Minute Walk for Breath on November 22! Walk with others in one of our participating cities or connect with the community by joining our virtual event. Every step you take helps shine a light on pulmonary hypertension and shows support for those living with the disease.
Fundraise
Take your participation further by fundraising! You can fundraise solo, create a team, or join an existing team—whatever works best for you. Fundraising not only raises awareness but also provides vital support for advocacy, education, and research, making your impact go even further.
Advocate
In 2024, we launched the #TimeMattersPAH campaign to advocate for public access to sotatercept (Winrevair™)—a breakthrough therapy that can change the lives of people living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
This year, under the theme Heart Under Pressure, we’re renewing our call for timely access to this essential treatment. For those living with PAH, every day without access adds to the pressure—on their hearts, their health, and their hope.
Visit our advocacy page to learn how you can raise your voice, contact decision-makers, and help take the pressure off Canadians waiting for sotatercept. Together, we can ensure every heart under pressure gets the care it deserves.
Previous Years
Media Interviews
Revisit 2023's #PHAwareness events listed below.
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Watch our Facebook Live Welcome to November Awereness Month 2023
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Watch our Facebook Live Goodbye to November Awereness Month 2023
Read about PH blogs and stories from our contributors.