BNP stands for B-type natriuretic peptide. This is a hormone that is released by the bottom two chambers of the heart (ventricles) in response to increased work. For example, increased pressure or increased stretch of the heart chambers leads to increased release of BNP. The main physiologic role of BNP is to act on the kidneys to promote increased salt and water loss … [Read more...]
Birth Control Options for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Patients
Before we delve too far into this topic I want to emphasize that I am a pulmonologist, not a gynecologist. That being said, birth control is a core part of caring for women with pulmonary hypertension. What follows is the lung doctor’s take on birth control. I have previously described the important physiologic changes that occur with pregnancy and the major risks to women … [Read more...]
FAQ’s: Psoriasis, Idiopathic PAH, Contraceptives & Pulmonary Hypertension
Is Psoriasis associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension? Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by white patches with scaling especially over the elbows and knees. A small study was undertaken that suggested a slightly increased risk of pulmonary hypertension in patients with psoriasis. However, the study only looked at echo-estimated pulmonary … [Read more...]
Will the Real Pulmonary Hypertension Specialists Please Stand Up?
I was recently cruising the Internet looking to see what type of search results I would obtain when I put in the term “pulmonary hypertension specialist in Phoenix”. I was somewhat mortified. Every healthcare system in town had a webpage purporting to have a specialized program replete with a range of experts well versed in all aspects of pulmonary hypertension care. I … [Read more...]
Living with Complex Congenital Heart Disease
By Tabitha Moe and Jeremy Feldman A normal heart has 4 chambers: 2 top chambers and 2 bottom chambers. In some patients, only a single bottom chamber (ventricle) develops. These patients with a single ventricle are the most complex form of congenital heart disease. The first surgery to repair this defect occurred in 1968 and was published by Dr. Fontan in 1971. The … [Read more...]
