Free event offers educational seminars on pulmonary hypertension from local medical experts and networking opportunities for those with PH and their caregivers.

Silver Spring, Md. (July 25, 2019) -The Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s On The Road education forum brings local medical experts and members of the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community to The Westin San Francisco Airport on August 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a day of education, support and networking.

PH, or high blood pressure in the lungs, is a complex, deadly and often misunderstood disease that affects people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. There is no cure, and it is often difficult to diagnose because its symptoms—such as shortness of breath and fatigue—can mirror that of other, more common diseases like asthma. The good news is that advances in treatment and a better understanding of PH have led to effective therapies, better quality of life and improved survival for many types of PH, once diagnosed. Sadly, delays in accurate diagnosis may cause irreversible damage to the right heart, which must work harder to pump blood into the lungs.

The PHA on the Road program brings awareness about PH directly to the local community. The event features a slate of interactive sessions presented by local medical experts that help attendees learn more about the condition, manage the unique day-to-day challenges those with the condition face, and navigate issues such as health insurance coverage.

“PH is a difficult, challenging disease. As a PH-treating physician, I have seen firsthand how difficult this condition can be to understand and navigate for my patients. The best way to empower our patients and their families is through education. PHA’sOn the Roadprovides the perfect forum for medical experts to educate those with the condition and their loved ones about what they need to know to live their best life with PH. It also gives PH-treating professionals a chance to connect personally with the SF/Bay Area PH community,” says Sachin Gupta, M.D., FCCP, CPMC-Sutter Health System, San Francisco, and co-chair of the event planning committee.

“I am thrilled to participate in PHA on the Road. This program brings together the local and regional PH community: patients, caregivers and providers to learn from each other and create a collaborative forum to facilitate networking and mutual support,” says Teresa De Marco, M.D., FACC, FHFSA, University of California, San Francisco, and co-chair of the event planning committee.

The event includes support group sessions for those with the condition, including those newly diagnosed, and caregivers. These groups provide a unique, safe forum where everyone can talk openly and discover the larger PH community in the Bay Area.

Rita Orth of Danville, Calif., who was diagnosed with PH in 1999, has attended three previous PHA on the Road events in California. She says this event is especially crucial for those who may feel overwhelmed by their condition and need to find a community.

PHA on the Road offers a chance to learn from local PH experts and a way for people to harness hope. People should bring their questions for the experts. It is a great opportunity to gain more knowledge about their disease,” she says.  “Another benefit of going to one of these events is that it gives you a sense of community. You leave them full of optimism. You gain strength from the people who are dealing with the same issues as you are. You get a better perspective and understanding. The enthusiasm is infectious when you are there.”

For more information about the event, please visit PHAssociation.org/OnTheRoad. Members of the media are welcome to attend. To RSVP, please email Noel Lloyd at noell@phassociation.org or call 202.370.7852. Interviews with experts and others can be arranged upon request.

About the Pulmonary Hypertension Association

Headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is the country’s leading pulmonary hypertension (PH) organization. PHA’s mission is to extend and improve the lives of those affected by PH. PHA empowers patients, caregivers, families, health care professionals and researchers worldwide through support, advocacy and awareness, education, quality care, and research programs. For more information, visit www.PHAssociation.org and connect with PHA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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