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Living Under Pressure

During Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, the ‘Living Under Pressure’ campaign raises awareness of the medical realities of pulmonary hypertension and the everyday pressures that accompany living with a serious condition.

For Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association continues to raise awareness by sharing resources and activities for the PH community throughout November.

This year’s campaign, “Living Under Pressure,” highlights the medical realities of pulmonary hypertension and the everyday pressures that accompany living with a serious condition. Throughout the month, PHA will share patient and caregiver stories, practical resources and examples of how people with PH adapt, find support, advocate for themselves and continue connecting with the people, activities and goals that matter to them. The campaign will also celebrate the strength, connection and progress within the PH community.

At the same time, “Living Under Pressure” calls attention to challenges that require broader change, including delays in diagnosis, barriers to treatment and specialty care, financial pressures and gaps in support. The global PH community is invited to join in raising awareness, sharing experiences and celebrating the ways people with PH navigate everyday pressures, find support and continue pushing for better care, greater access and continued progress.

Key activities during PH Awareness Month

Throughout November, take part in the “Living Under Pressure” campaign by advocating for better care, early diagnosis 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.

Launching this November, Faces of PH is a new video series sharing real stories from people living with pulmonary hypertension. Each short video explores the path from early symptoms to diagnosis, treatment and daily life with PH, including the pressures people face as they navigate care and advocate for themselves. New stories will be released each month through November 2027, introducing more voices and experiences from across the PH community.

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. Healthcare 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 these efforts by engaging the PH community and educating the public about pulmonary hypertension.

PH Awareness Month Toolkit

Join the “Living Under Pressure” campaign this November. Use the PH Awareness Month toolkit to raise awareness, share your story and help others understand the medical and everyday pressures of living with PH. The toolkit includes social media graphics, infographics, fact sheets, flyers, a customizable news release and other resources you can use throughout the month.

Visit toolkit

What is pulmonary hypertension?

PH is a serious, progressive condition that causes high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. The increased pressure makes the right side of the heart work harder to pump blood through the lungs and can lead to right heart failure. PH can be associated with left heart disease, lung disease, blood clots in the lungs and other conditions. Genetics also can play a role. In some cases, there is no known cause.

  • How is PH diagnosed?
    How is PH diagnosed?

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

Pulmonary hypertension quick facts

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

The symptoms of PH can be mistaken for those of other conditions, which is why early diagnosis is so important. Common symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and chest pain also occur in more common conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. People who think they may have PH should talk with a healthcare provider about evaluation by 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 include: 

There is no cure for PH, but there are treatments that can manage it and improve patients’ 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.

What Contributes to the Success of Treatment for PH?
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