It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and fall is about to begin.  As kids get ready to go back to school we are reminded that it is time, once again, to think about getting the flu (influenza) vaccine. I know, this feels like setting out Christmas decorations before Halloween, but it is important for Pulmonary Hypertension patients to get the vaccine prior to the … [Read more...]

Temporarily Relocating While Living with PAH. We recently received a great question from a reader inquiring how to handle PAH care if you split time in two locations.  This is not a barrier to getting great patient care.  I have many patients that winter in Phoenix and escape the Valley of the Sun when the temperatures approach triple digits.  We work collaboratively with … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

Your Questions Answered Is it safe to travel to high altitude with Pulmonary Hypertension? This is an important question for patients with any chronic heart or lung problem, and especially important for patients with PAH.  As we ascend to higher elevations a variety of changes take place in our heart and lungs.  Heart rate increases immediately.  Pulmonary artery pressures … [Read more...]