EmPHasize Your Health

During Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, the ‘EmPHasize Your Health’ campaign unites the global PH community to raise awareness and promote whole-person health.

For Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association continues the tradition of raising awareness by sharing resources and activities for the community to participate in throughout November.

This year’s campaign, “EmPHasize Your Health,” highlights the importance of whole-person health, including physical and emotional well-being, for those living with pulmonary hypertension. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness and encourage screening among people with associated conditions who may be at risk of developing PH. Throughout the month, PHA will share stories and resources that show how the PH community prioritizes health while navigating the challenges of this rare condition.

The global PH community is invited to join in raising awareness, sharing experiences and helping more people understand the realities of PH and the need for early diagnosis, treatment and support.

Key activities during PH Awareness month:

Throughout November, take part in the “EmPHasize Your Health” campaign by advocating for better care, early screenings and stronger support for the PH community. Share your tips for prioritizing health while living with PH, and use PHA’s Awareness Month toolkit to access new infographics, fact sheets, flyers, social media graphics, a customizable press release and other resources to help spread the word.

• • On Tuesday, Nov. 4, join us for an advocacy webinar, From Awareness to Action: Advocating for the PH Community, at 2 p.m. EST/7 p.m. UTC. This interactive session will equip you with the tools and confidence to make your voice heard. Jaeger Spratt, PHA’s advocacy and treatment access program manager, will review key legislation affecting the PH community, including updates on the SOAR Act, and demonstrate how to use PHA’s Action Center to connect directly with lawmakers and enact change.

• • On Wednesday, Nov. 12, join PHA in recognizing CTEPH Awareness Day. Help raise awareness of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension by exploring resources and stories focused on education, screening and treatment.

• • On Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. EST/7 p.m. UTC, join PHA for the webinar, Steps to Building an Effective CTEPH Care Plan. PH specialist Peter Hountras, MD, will outline the benefits of a multidisciplinary care approach, while Ahmed Sadek, MD, and Michael T. Cain, MD, will explain surgical and non-surgical treatment options and how to determine the best plan for your needs. The webinar will be available in English and Spanish.

• • On Tuesday, Nov. 18, PHA will host a nationwide support group for anyone living with CTEPH to share experiences and receive support. The virtual meeting will be held at 8 p.m. EST via Zoom and facilitated by a PHA support group leader. Register and receive the Zoom link through the support group meeting calendar.

History

PHA organized the first national PH Awareness Week in November 1997. Members and supporters were encouraged to wear PH ribbons, hold support group meetings or social gatherings, and contact local media to share patient stories. These efforts resulted in several newspaper articles highlighting patients and their experiences. Health care providers also participated in events to raise awareness.

Since then, PH Awareness Week has evolved into PH Awareness Month. Every November, PHA offers resources and programming to raise awareness of this complex, life-threatening condition. PHA continues to lead the effort today, providing resources to engage the PH community and educate the public about pulmonary hypertension.

PH Awareness Month Toolkit

Join the Pulmonary Hypertension Association in the “EmPHasize Your Health” campaign this November. Use this toolkit to raise awareness, share your story, highlight how you prioritize your health, and promote early screening and stronger support for the PH community. Every action helps build awareness and connection.

Visit toolkit

What is pulmonary hypertension?

PH is a progressive lung condition in which patients experience high blood pressure in their lungs. In people with PH, arteries in the lungs can become damaged, narrowed or stiff, putting pressure on the right side of the heart and forcing it to work harder to push blood through the arteries. This can cause right heart failure and death.

• 

  How is PH diagnosed?

  Amresh Raina, MD, FACC explains the different tests that are used to diagnose pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

• 

  What happens when you have PH?

  Javier Jimenez, MD, PhD, FACC, explains what happens in the body when you have pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension quick facts

PH affects people of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds. Although anyone can be diagnosed with PH, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

The symptoms of PH can be mistaken for other diseases, which is why early diagnosis is so important. The most common symptoms can be caused by other more common medical problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. People who think they may have PH should get a diagnosis from a PH specialist.

Not all PH is the same. There are five groups of PH based on different causes. People with PH can experience shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, heart palpitations or edema (swelling). Common symptoms associated with all types of PH (the numbers below are reported for pulmonary arterial hypertension) include:

There is no cure for PH, but there are treatments that can manage it and improve patient’s quality of life. In the following video, Javier Jimenez, MD, PhD, FACC, shares how pulmonary hypertension can be treated.

What contributes to the success of treatment for PH?

Javier Jimenez, MD, PhD, FACC, explains what can contribute to the successful treatment of pulmonary hypertension.