The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (PH)—shortness of breath with minimal exertion, fatigue, chest pain, dizzy spells, and fainting—are familiar to respiratory therapists. Unfortunately, they are not unique to the life-threatening condition and are often misdiagnosed as asthma or another respiratory illness.

Pulmonary hypertension is a blood vessel disorder of the lungs in which the pressure in the pulmonary artery rises above normal levels, and, if left untreated, it will cause the heart to work harder and eventually lose its ability to pump. The disease can occur on its own without a known cause, or secondary to other illnesses, such as scleroderma, sickle cell anemia, HIV infection, or use of diet drugs like fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine.

By naming November Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) hopes to increase the number of correct diagnoses so patients can begin receiving the appropriate treatment. "Pulmonary hypertension can progress rapidly, so the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis. Raising awareness in the medical community increases the chances of a correct diagnosis in a timely manner," said Dayle Kern, an advocacy and awareness associate for the association. To this effort, the PHA hopes to enlist the help of RTs and other respiratory professionals. "Respiratory therapists are an important part of PHA’s grassroots network. They can use their experience and personal stories to make an impact on decision makers. By becoming PH advocates, RTs can also utilize their expertise to educate and influence their elected officials."

As part of the campaign, PHA is supporting groups, advocates, and other grassroots members of the PH community in organizing events and activities across the United States, including galas, Fun Walk events, and benefit concerts.

"There is even a bowling tournament," added Kern. "Advocates everywhere are visiting their local health centers to distribute materials, contacting local media outlets to share their stories, and contacting their mayors to sign Awareness Month proclamations."

The PHA is also planning its annual congressional luncheon on Capitol Hill to support the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2007.

The organization has also put together a free PHAwareness Kit, which includes ideas for spreading the word about PHT, such as how to host an awareness event.

For resources on spreading the word, the PHA encourages RTs to join the PH Resource Network, which consists of a group of nonphysician health care professionals working to help PH patients. The annual membership of $35 includes patient education tools, CEU educational sessions at PHA conferences, a subscription to PHA’s medical journal Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension, and a free copy of the third edition of Pulmonary Hypertension: A Patient’s Survival Guide, among other benefits.

Another membership section on the site is dedicated to PH-treating physicians and doctorate-level researchers.

In the nonsubscription section of the site dedicated to medical professionals <http://www.phassociation.org/Medical/ >, the PHA Scientific Leadership Council (SLC) < http://www.phassociation.org/SLC/> includes a variety of materials, including consensus statements, presentations, articles, and handout materials.