An important cause of PAH is liver disease.  Up to 5% of patients with cirrhosis (scarring in the liver) or portal hypertension (high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver) can develop PAH.  All causes of cirrhosis and portal hypertension can develop PAH.   Causes The most common causes of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver that leads to … [Read more...]

As a quick refresher, remember that Pulmonary Hypertension is broadly divided into five groups: Group 1:  Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Group 2:  PH due to left heart disease and valvular heart disease Group 3:  PH due to chronic lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema) Group 4:  PH due to chronic blood clots Group 5:  PH due to various miscellaneous … [Read more...]

Co-Authored By: Dr. Akshay Muralidhar Scleroderma is part of a special group of diseases called connective tissue diseases.  This group of diseases includes lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease and many others.  A key feature of these diseases is that the disease may involve multiple parts of their body including skin, joints, … [Read more...]

Although the opioid epidemic is attracting more attention, there is another epidemic in America, methamphetamine abuse.  Methamphetamine (Meth) is an inexpensive drug that can be smoked, snorted or injected. It is made in a chemical reaction involving a common cold medicine.  Most Meth, however, is imported from Mexico.  Meth is extremely … [Read more...]

We had a wonderful topic suggestion from a reader. Essentially, how does one tell if they have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension if there are conflicting tests? A common scenario goes something like this: The echocardiogram shows no pulmonary hypertension but a CT scan shows pulmonary hypertension.  A cardiologist repeats an echo that shows no pulmonary … [Read more...]