What is Zika? Zika is a virus spread via infected mosquitoes or from having sex with an infected individual. Most cases are being reported in South America but recently two neighborhoods in Miami, Florida have also been identified as having Zika carrying mosquitoes. Most people that are infected with Zika will not have much of an illness (perhaps some flu-like symptoms).  … [Read more...]

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...]