PHA Classroom

About PH

In this section, you will find videos and resources that cover the basics of PH, including the different types, diagnosis and information on research. Select a topic from the list below to begin learning about PH.

Nidhy VargheseRespiratory Infections and Pulmonary Hypertension

Ivan Robbins, M.D., and Nidhy Varghese, M.D., discuss the impact viral respiratory infections have on adults and children with PH. They share information on the symptoms of viral infections, the impact of RSV on children and older adults with PH and give an overview of how to treat these conditions safely while on PH medication.

Stephen MathaiWhat’s the Relationship Between Scleroderma and PH?

Stephen Mathai, M.D., M.H.S, discusses scleroderma and how it’s characterized in the body. Dr. Mathai also talks about the risk of developing pulmonary arterial hypertension or interstitial lung disease related to scleroderma.

Stephen MathaiWhat Treatments are Prescribed to Manage PH and Connective Tissue Disease?

Stephen Mathai, M.D., M.H.S, discusses the importance of working with your health care team when treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) and connective tissue disease. Dr. Mathai gives an overview of considerations that should be evaluated when making treatment decisions for patients with connective tissue diseases and pulmonary hypertension.

Stephen MathaiWhat is the Relationship Between PH and Connective Tissue Disease?

Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS explains the relationship that exists between pulmonary hypertension and connective tissue disease.

Stephen MathaiWhat is the Risk of Developing PH if You Have Connective Tissue Disease?

Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS discusses the various risks related to developing pulmonary hypertension if you have connective tissue disease.

Jean ElwingPH101: Part 1- Understanding Diagnosis

Jean M. Elwing, MD presents information on the basics of PH, how PH is defined and the types and classifications of PH.

Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension

Shilpa Johri, MD

Group 2 Pulmonary Hypertension

Gautam V. Ramani, MD

Javier Jimenez, MDWhat is PH?

Javier Jimenez, MD

Javier Jimenez, MDWhat happens when you have PH?

Javier Jimenez, MD

Javier Jimenez, MDWhat are the symptoms of PH?

Javier Jimenez, MD

CTEPH Overview

Gustavo Heresi, MD

What are the different WHO Groups of pulmonary hypertension?Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhat are the functional classifications of PH?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Rana Awdish, MDAre there specific lung diseases that cause PH?

Rana Awdish, MD

Rana Awdish, MDWhat is PH due to chronic lung disease?

Rana Awdish, MD

Rana Awdish, MDHow does lung disease cause pulmonary hypertension?

Rana Awdish, MD

Hilary M. DuBrock, MDHow does liver disease cause PH?

Hilary M. DuBrock, MD


Hilary M. DuBrock, MDHow is the liver connected to the heart and lungs?

Hilary M. DuBrock, MD

Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Blood Disorders and Liver Disease with PH

Zeenat Safdar, MD
Michael Krowka

The goal of this session is to address the clinical management approaches of three different disorders that can be associated with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH).

PH Associated with Another Condition – Coping with a Second Illness

Stacy Mandras, MD
Keri Djupstrom, RN
Veronica Franco, MD, MSPH

As treatments for PH allow patients to enjoy a longer life, patients with PH are then susceptible to the problems of “regular” people as they age. Explore problems like diabetes, chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease as panelists answer questions from the audience.

Connective Tissue Diseases and PH

Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS
Christine Archer-Chiko, MSN, CRNP
Colleen McEvoy, MD

This session describes the spectrum of connective tissue disease and define the different types of pulmonary hypertension (PH) encountered. The focus of discussion is on systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

Familial Genetics and PAH (2016)

Eric Austin, MD, MSCI
Lisa Wheeler, MT
C. Gregory Elliott, MD
Micheala Aldred, PhD

This session discusses what is known about the inheritance of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), with a special emphasis on familial PAH, which is a type of heritable PAH (HPAH). Learn more on how it can be inherited and what the associated risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing are in relation to this disease.

PH Simplified – The Basics of PH, Treatments and Tests

Martha Kingman, FNP
Harrison Farber, MD
Marlena Fox, PharmD, BCPS
Scarlett Haden, ACNP
Michael McGoon, MD

This session covers the basics of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), explaining how the heart can be affected by high lung pressures. It also discusses the different types of PH.

Debunking PH Misconceptions l

Jeffrey Sager, MD
David Badesch, MD
Abby Poms, RRT

Finding accurate medical information is difficult. In this session we discuss and debunk common PH myths, rumors and misconceptions.

Debunking PH Misconceptions ll

Brandy McKlevy, MD
Bruce Bundage, MD
Darren Taichman, MD, PhD

In this session we discuss and debunk common PH myths, rumors and misconceptions.

Christina BenningerJourney through Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis and Treatment

Christina Benninger, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC explains the pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnostic process and what the test results can provide to clinicians. Find out why understanding the results of echocardiograms, right heart catheterizations and other imaging techniques and lab tests is essential to determining effective PH treatment.

Stephen MathaiWhat are the different types of connective tissue disease and the associated risk of PH?

Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS discusses different types of connective tissue disease including lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, polymyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis and the associated risk of having pulmonary hypertension.

Stephen MathaiWhat diagnostic tests are recommended for patients with connective tissue disease?

Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS discusses connective tissue disease and the various diagnostic tests used to assess patients with connective tissue disease for pulmonary hypertension.

Emily GriffinVisiting a Genetic Counselor

Emily Griffin, M.S., C.G.C, a genetic counselor from Columbia University Irving Medical Center explains the basics of a genetic counseling session including what to expect and how to prepare for an appointment.

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCCan a chest x-ray diagnose PH?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhy do I need a right heart catheterization if my doctor gets numbers from the echocardiogram?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCHow is PH diagnosed?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhy do I have to do the 6-minute walk test? What does it tell my doctor?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhy is it important to know which WHO Group your diagnosis is in?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhat is a V/Q scan? Should all PH patients have one?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhat do blood tests tell my doctor about my PH?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCWhat value does a cardiac MRI bring to diagnosis and treatment?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCIs there a standard for how often I should have certain diagnostic testing? How does this vary, or does it depend on the doctor?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCAfter my first right heart cath, how often do I need to have another one, and why?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Amresh Raina, MD, FACCHow often do I have to have an echocardiogram?

Amresh Raina, MD, FACC

Diagnosing PH-Is your PH diagnosed correctly?

Lana Melendes-Groves, MD
Todd Bull, MD
Adaani Frost, MD
Charles Gallegos, CNP

This session reviews the current classification/definitions of PH, as well as standard testing methods used to fully diagnose patients.

Newly Diagnosed: Tests, Tests and More Tests: What Is PH Diagnostic Testing Telling My Doctors?

Deedre’ Boekweg, RN, MSN, CCRP
All the testing that goes into a correct PH diagnosis can be overwhelming! This webinar reviewed and dissected many of the clinical tests that are used in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, including: echocardiogram, right heart cardiac catheterization, pulmonary function testing, sleep studies and other laboratory tests. The session also discussed the risks and benefits of the testing, as well as how all the information is used to unravel different diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension.

gillian leungUnderstanding the Side Effects of Pulmonary Hypertension Medication

Gillian Leung, PharmD, BCCP; Yash Kothari, M.D. cover common side effects of pulmonary hypertension (PH) medications. Drs. Leung and Kothari share tips for managing undesirable effects to get the most out of PH therapy.

Jean ElwingPH101: Part 2 – Diagnostics and Treatment Options

Jean M. Elwing, MD discusses the different types of PH and the reasons behind the extensive testing that is required for an accurate PH diagnosis. An explanation of the available treatments for each type of PH and considerations that your PH care team makes when choosing the best treatment plan for you is presented.

Javier Jimenez, MDWhat contributes to the success of treatment for PH?

Javier Jimenez, MD

Javier Jimenez, MDHow is PH treated?

Javier Jimenez, MD

Javier Jimenez, MDHow do clinicians keep track of the success of a PH therapy?

Javier Jimenez, MD

CTEPH Treatment

Gustavo Heresi, MD

Javier Jimenez, MDHow does your clinician choose the best treatment for your PH?

Javier Jimenez, MD

Fernando Torres, MDTell me more about lung transplantation: What is it all about, and what is involved?

Fernando Torres, MD

Rana Awdish, MDHow is PH due to chronic lung disease treated?

Rana Awdish, MD

Hilary M. DuBrock, MDHow is portopulmonary hypertension treated?

Hilary M. DuBrock, MD

Surgery and Anesthesia in PH Patients

Sonja Bartolome, MD
Jocelyn Havener, RN, BSN
Kim Kerr, MD

The purpose of this session is to review the potential risks of anesthesia and surgical procedures in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

J. Wes McConnellSpotlight on Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Studies and Research

J. Wes McConnell, M.D., explains how research process and can lead to promising clinical trials for new therapies and how patient registries can advance pulmonary hypertension. Dr. McConnell also shares news about how to participate in regional clinical trials.

2022 Focus on Pulmonary Hypertension Research

Pulmonary hypertension experts Anna Hemnes, M.D., and Evan Brittain, M.D., M.Sc., moderate a panel discussion on the latest advances in pulmonary hypertension (PH) research.

Part 1: Understanding the PH Drug PipelineAnna Hemnes

Part 1 of Understanding the PH Drug Pipeline presented by Pulmonologist Anna R. Hemnes, M.D, provides insight on available PAH therapies, the biological pathways through which drugs are targeted and new treatments in the drug development pipeline.

Part 2: Understanding the PH Drug Pipeline Q&AAnna Hemnes

Part 2 of Understanding the PH Drug Pipeline presented by Pulmonologist Anna Hemnes, MD answers questions and provides insight on the available PAH therapies, the biological pathways targeted and new treatments in the drug development pipeline during this Q&A portion.

An Overview of the Drug Development ProcessDaniel C. Grinnan, M.D.

Daniel C. Grinnan, MD, provides an overview of how new medications are developed.

Rachel DamicoDebunking Myths and Misconceptions About Clinical Trial Participation

Rachel Damico, MD, PhD, addresses common concerns about clinical trial participation and the risks and benefits of participating in clinical research.

Clinical Research in Pediatrics and Informed Consent for Parents

Melanie K. Nies, MD, talks about why pediatric research is important, how it is different than research in adults and things to know when considering participation in pediatric research for your child.

What Is FDA Approval?

Daniel C. Grinnan, MD, explains the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its role in drug approval.

What Is Clinical Research?Andrea Mytinger

Andrea Mytinger, DO, talks about the different types of clinical research, the steps needed to complete a clinical trial and the importance of clinical research.

Getting Involved in Clinical Research

Christopher S. King, MD, discusses how to talk to your doctor about getting involved in clinical research and explains the informed consent process.

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