You’ve been diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)… now what?
Although there is currently no cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension, there are treatment options available and more are on the horizon.
Treatments include conventional medical therapies and oral, inhaled, intravenous (into the vein), and subcutaneous (injections into the skin) options. Depending on the severity of pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart or lung transplant may also be an option.
So, what is PAH?
High blood pressure in the lungs is called pulmonary hypertension (PH) or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a chronic and life-changing disease that can lead to right heart failure if left untreated.
People of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds are diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Even though anyone can be diagnosed with PH, certain risk factors make some people more likely to get the disease:
- Family history
- Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea
- Gender
- Pregnancy
- Altitude
- Other diseases
- Drugs and toxins
All of this highlights the need for pulmonary arterial hypertension research.
Scientific research is a critical tool for successfully navigating our complex world, and there are some researchers that believe there could be a link between interferon therapy and PAH. University of Texas Medical Branch researchers used a nationwide study to understand the possible role that interferon can play in the development of PAH. Click here to read more on the study.
If you have PAH, talk with your health care provider about support groups in your area. Because it can restrict your physical activities, it often leads to emotional complications too. You may want to talk with a mental health provider to deal with these issues. And remember: your prognosis with PAH can be improved if you get early treatment.
