The American Lung Association, with support from Merck, has initiated a new campaign to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the United States. This progressive disease affects between 500 to 1,000 individuals annually in the country. The initiative seeks to enhance awareness and provide resources for those affected by this often under-detected condition.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs due to blockages in small arteries. The disease is progressive and its cause frequently remains unknown. Approximately 15-20% of PAH cases are inherited, predominantly affecting women aged 30-60, with Black and Hispanic women being disproportionately impacted.
"PAH is a challenging disease that significantly impacts the lives of those who have it," stated Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Through this campaign, we hope to improve awareness and understanding of PAH, promote early diagnosis, and provide valuable resources for patients and caregivers. Together, we can help those affected by PAH lead better, healthier lives."
In its early stages, PAH may not exhibit symptoms which complicates timely detection. As it progresses, common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in extremities, dizziness, chest pain, heart palpitations, and bluish lips or fingers. These symptoms overlap with other conditions like asthma or congestive heart failure leading to potential misdiagnosis. On average, diagnosing PAH accurately takes over two years.
Although there is no cure for PAH currently available, appropriate treatment can slow its progression and enhance quality of life. It is crucial for patients to consult an accredited pulmonary hypertension center or specialist for medications that specifically target lung-produced substances contributing to disease progression. Additional treatments may involve supplemental oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation; severe cases might require lung transplantation.
The new awareness campaign aims at educating at-risk individuals about PAH symptoms to ensure timely diagnosis while informing patients and their caregivers about managing symptoms through available treatments.
For further details on PAH and the awareness campaign visit Lung.org/PAH.
