WASHINGTON (Oct. 14) – This November, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association will recognize Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month with “Living Under Pressure,” a campaign focused on the medical realities of PH and the everyday pressures that accompany living with a serious condition.

PH is defined by high blood pressure in the lungs, which places added strain on the heart and can lead to right heart failure or death. PH can affect people of any age, sex, race or ethnic or socioeconomic background, and contributes to more than 18,000 adult deaths annually in the United States. Some forms have no known cause, while others are associated with conditions such as left heart disease, congenital heart disease, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or connective tissue disease. Because PH has many causes and its symptoms overlap with those of other diseases, diagnosis is often delayed.

“Living Under Pressure” extends the conversation beyond the medical effects of PH. Throughout the month, PHA will share stories and resources about the pressures of managing symptoms and treatment, navigating healthcare and insurance, balancing work and family responsibilities, and other aspects of daily life. The campaign will also celebrate how people with PH adapt, find support, advocate for themselves and continue pursuing the people, activities and goals that matter to them.

“Too many people with PH still face a long road to diagnosis, challenges accessing the treatments and specialty care they need, and the daily burden of managing a complex condition,” said Mitchell Koppelman, chair of PHA’s Board of Trustees. “Awareness can help change that. By helping more people, including healthcare professionals, recognize PH and understand its impact, we can reduce delays in diagnosis, strengthen support and help ensure people with PH receive the care they need.”

PHA’s outreach includes social media, advocacy, education and fundraising efforts. Individuals and organizations can also use PHA’s digital toolkit, which includes social media graphics, infographics, fact sheets, flyers, and other resources to raise awareness throughout the month.

Notable PH Awareness Month Activities

  • PHA will host a Day of Action including an advocacy webinar, “Keeping the Pressure on Congress: Sharing Stories for Change,” on Wednesday, Nov. 4, focused on the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act, the Safe Step Act and ways people affected by PH can share their experiences with lawmakers.
  • On Wednesday, Nov. 11, PHA will observe CTEPH Awareness Day with educational resources about chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare type of PH caused by blood clots that restrict blood flow in the lungs.
  • On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the PHA Live webinar, “What Matters to You Matters: A Shared Approach to Treatment,” will explore findings from a recent study on shared decision-making and the disconnect that can occur between patients and their care teams.
  • PHA will also host two in-person fundraising events:

More information about PH, the “Living Under Pressure” campaign and ways to participate can be found at PHAssociation.org/Awareness-Month.

About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association 

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Pulmonary Hypertension Association is the oldest and largest nonprofit patient association dedicated to the pulmonary hypertension community. Pulmonary hypertension is a rare, chronic and life-threatening lung condition for which no cure currently exists. PHA’s mission is to extend and improve the lives of those affected by PH. To achieve this mission, PHA engages people with PH and their families, caregivers, health care providers and researchers worldwide. who work together to advocate for the PH community, provide support to patients, caregivers and families, offer up-to-date education and information on PH, improve quality patient care and fund and promote research. For more information, visit PHAssociation.org and connect with PHA on Bluesky, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.